The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, operated by Belmond, will expand its European routes with a new itinerary connecting Paris with Monte Carlo from 10 May 2027. The journey will travel along the French Côte d’Azur before reaching the Principality of Monaco, a destination that will be included in the train’s timetable for the first time and will become part of its annual schedule.
The new connection will allow Monte Carlo to be included as a stop on the journey to Venice, expanding the travel options aboard one of the most renowned trains in the luxury tourism sector. The itinerary revives the tradition of European rail travel and offers an experience in which the journey itself is a central part of the trip.
A night-time tour of the French Riviera
The journey will begin in Paris, where passengers will board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express’s distinctive midnight-blue carriages. The train retains elements of its historical heritage, with interiors inspired by the Art Deco movement and a range of accommodation options across different categories.
Travellers will be able to choose between the Historic Cabins, the Suites and the Grand Suites, each offering different levels of space and privacy. In addition to these options is L’Observatoire, an exclusively reserved carriage designed in collaboration with the French artist JR.
This space features a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and a freestanding bath, a lounge, a library and a hidden tea room. Its design offers a contemporary interpretation of rail travel, whilst maintaining a connection to the train’s history and aesthetic.
In the evening, the dining experience will take place in the two dining carriages, Étoile du Nord and L’Oriental, whose interiors feature references to early 20th-century decorative architecture. The on-board offering is rounded off by Bar Car 3674, where passengers can enjoy cocktails and live piano music.
The following morning, breakfast will be served in the compartments as the train travels along the Mediterranean coast. The journey will take in the landscapes of the Estérel massif, continue through Saint-Raphaël and pass through Cannes and Nice before reaching Monaco-Monte Carlo station, situated beneath the rocky terrain of the Principality.
Monte Carlo, a destination linked to the history of the Orient Express
The inclusion of Monaco in the itinerary also holds historical significance for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. In 1977, two of its original carriages were acquired at an auction held in Monte Carlo, a transaction that contributed to the train’s restoration and the subsequent development of the railway project.
Pascal Deyrolle, Belmond’s Managing Director for Trains in Continental Europe, has pointed out that the arrival in Monte Carlo marks a continuation of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express’s journey and allows the train to rekindle its historic connection with the Principality.
The executive also highlighted the role played by the acquisition of those carriages in the creation of the service that currently operates.
The new route will thus connect two destinations linked to the history of European tourism: Paris, as the starting point, and Monte Carlo, known for attractions such as the Monte Carlo Casino and for hosting the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Belmond amplía su oferta de viajes ferroviarios de lujo
La incorporación de Montecarlo forma parte de la ampliación de los itinerarios del Venice Simplon-Orient-Express en Europa. La compañía también continuará en 2027 con la segunda edición de Villeggiatura by Train, una propuesta que combina los viajes a bordo del tren con estancias en establecimientos de Belmond situados en distintas ciudades italianas.
Ambas iniciativas se enmarcan en el concepto Slow Luxury de la compañía, centrado en experiencias de viaje que conceden mayor protagonismo al recorrido, al tiempo de estancia y a la conexión entre destinos.
Con esta nueva ruta, Belmond refuerza su oferta de viajes ferroviarios por Europa y amplía las conexiones entre ciudades asociadas al turismo de alta gama.
