The night trains in France and Europe are not the only ones to generate renewed interest. Two luxury trains have just been unveiled in quick succession. The first, in France, comes from Puy du Fouwhich will launch in summer 2023 the Grand TourA 4,000 km rail journey to discover the history, art of living and know-how of France. To achieve this, the operator of the Cinéscénie and the Grand Parc vendéen de loisirs is creating its own rail company, which will operate a Belle Epoque train comprising two gourmet restaurant cars, a bar car and several carriages housing a total of 15 luxury double cabins ranging from 10 to 30 m2 (with bathroom and WC). Fifteen costumed crew members will serve the 30 passengers who will embark each week from Paris on this Grand Tour. This journey of 6 days/5 nights will start at €4,900 per passenger, who will be able to personalise their discovery programme at each stopover: Epernay, Reims, Annecy, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Arcachon, Chenonceau... Not forgetting the Puy du Fou site at Les Epesses, in the Vendée. The leisure group hopes to transport some 600 people from the first year of operation.
The unfortunate precedent of French Rail Cruises in 2002-2004
A luxury rail cruise project was launched in France in 2002 with French Rail Cruises. This Bordeaux-based incoming agency had refitted, at great expense, a self-propelled motorboat to accommodate 22 passengers who were to discover the charms of the Bordeaux region, the châteaux of the Loire, Burgundy and Provence. At the time, the concept was somewhat different, with accommodation provided in Relais & Châteaux and meals served at gourmet restaurants. Unfortunately, the company was wound up in 2004, as visitor numbers were never quite up to scratch. According to its founders, this was due to the events of 11 September 2001, when the terrorist attacks in New York turned away the wealthy American and Japanese clientele from our 'sweet France'.
The Orient Express resurrected in Italy to experience La Dolce Vita
International, the second project led by Accor and the Italian company Arsenale is on a different scale, based on the Orient Express rebornThe hotel group owns 51% of the brand (the rest is owned by the SNCF). For it is not one but six Orient Express La Dolce Vita trains which will be operated by Accor, also from 2023. With Rome Termini where a Orient Express loungethey will be appreciated via 12 routes These old trains have been completely refurbished to create an ode to the 1960s and 1970s, thanks to the imagination of Milan-based architecture and design firm Dimorestudio. Offering a 5-star service on board, these trains will consist of 11 cars that can accommodate 62 passengers with 12 Deluxe cabins, 18 suites and 1 Prestige suite. Three special international routes will also be offered, as in the heyday of Orient Expresse: Paris-Rome, Rome-Venice-Split and Rome-Venice-Istanbul. Fares are not yet known.
The Arsenale property group, owner of the 6 trains, will also own the walls of the future Orient Express hotel which will open its doors in 2024 in the heart of Rome in a sumptuous 17th-century building. It will obviously also be managed by Accor which hopes to have 10 establishments with its new luxury brand by 2030. Combined Orient Express train and hotel packages will be on sale from the moment it opens in the Piazza de la Minerva, in the Pantheon district.
It should be noted that this new Accor version of the Orient Express will compete on some of its routes between Paris and Rome with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express of the group Belmondwhose luxury hotels (such as the Cipriani in Venice) and legendary trains (the VSOE and also the Royal Scotsman in Scotland) have been the inspiration for many of the world's most prestigious hotels. to be acquired in 2019 for €3.2 billion by the French company LVMH.
