The reopened Train des Merveilles route offers passengers a spectacular journey from the glamour of the French Riviera to the grandeur of the Southern French Alps.
On a sunny Tuesday morning, the platforms at Nice-Ville station buzz with activity as office workers dodge backpackers and passengers board trains to Monaco, Italy, Antibes, or Cannes. But my husband and I opt for a different direction—away from the glittering coastline and onto the Train des Merveilles (Train of Wonders), heading into the Alpes-Azur mountains.
Back in service since last December after a year-long closure for major renovations, this two-hour train ride ranks among Europe's most scenic routes. It climbs 1,000 meters over 100 kilometers, connecting Nice to the medieval town of Tende, encircled by the towering peaks of the Mercantour National Park.