The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will add Monte Carlo to its European rail itinerary in 2027, giving passengers a new way to travel from Paris through the French Riviera before arriving in Monaco. The new overnight journey is scheduled to begin in May and is planned as a permanent addition to the train’s annual programme, with fares starting at EUR 4,870 per person.
Operated by Belmond, the historic luxury train will leave Paris before following the Mediterranean coastline towards Monaco. The journey is designed to combine the experience of travelling aboard the Art Deco train with a stop in one of Europe’s best-known luxury destinations.
Monte Carlo gives passengers the chance to explore Monaco, including landmarks such as the Casino de Monte-Carlo and the streets associated with the Formula One Grand Prix. The destination has long been closely linked with luxury travel, major events and the French Riviera’s international appeal, making it a natural extension of the train’s existing European routes.
The journey begins in Paris, where passengers board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and settle into its dark blue carriages. Accommodation ranges from historic cabins to grand suites. Among the most distinctive options is L’Observatoire, a carriage designed by French artist JR. The suite includes a bedroom, an en suite bathroom with a freestanding bathtub, a living area, a library and a private tearoom.
Dining is also central to the overnight experience. Passengers can have dinner in one of the train’s restaurant cars, Étoile du Nord or L’Oriental, before continuing the evening in the Bar Car 3674. Cocktails, piano music and live entertainment provide the setting as the train continues south towards the Mediterranean.
The following morning, breakfast is served on board, with fresh pastries and pressed fruit juices accompanying views of the Côte d’Azur. The scenery becomes one of the defining features of the journey as the train travels along the French Riviera.
The route passes the red cliffs of the Massif de l’Estérel and continues through Saint-Raphaël towards Cannes and Nice. The railway then follows the mountainous coastline before reaching Monaco, where the line enters the rock and the train arrives at Monte Carlo station beneath the city.
For Belmond, the addition of Monaco fits naturally with the history and character of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Pascal Deyrolle, Area Managing Director for Trains – Continental Europe, said Monaco has long been part of the story of European travel and described the new destination as a natural extension of the luxury rail experience.
The 2027 journey will come at a considerable price. Fares start at EUR 4,870 per person, based on two people sharing a historic cabin. The package includes 24-hour steward service, meals, the sommelier’s choice of wine, unlimited soft drinks and transfers.
That places the new Monte Carlo journey firmly in the luxury travel market, but the appeal is about more than reaching Monaco. For passengers willing to pay the price, the journey offers an opportunity to experience the French Riviera from a slow-moving train, with the landscape, dining and historic character of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express becoming part of the destination itself.
