On October 30th, Lyon will welcome one of the most legendary trains in the world: the Venice Simplon Orient Express, operated by the Belmond group, owned by LVMH. Between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM, lucky travelers will board at the Part-Dieu station for an extraordinary journey to Venice. Behind its locomotive, eighteen cars in shades of blue and gold, mostly built between 1927 and 1931, are ready to offer an experience worthy of the greatest train stories.
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A journey through time (and luxury)
Onboard, time seems to stand still: each cabin is a tribute to art deco and the splendor of old-fashioned travel. To live this dream, you'll need to break open your piggy bank: the ticket for this extraordinary adventure starts at £3,885 (around €4,500). But the price includes ultra-high-end service, featuring exquisite dining, sommelier-selected wines, and a French breakfast served in your cabin. A feast on rails, orchestrated by Belmond's expertise, where even the legendary bar car "3674" promises magical moments accompanied by piano tunes.
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If the train has chosen to pause in Lyon, it's no coincidence: the capital of the Gauls stands out as a natural stop on the way to the South and Venice. Pascal Deyrolle, the General Director of the Venice Simplon Orient Express, already shared in 2023 that the idea was to open the experience to new audiences while paying tribute to the city's rich railway and cultural history. A perfect blend of elegance, heritage, and the art of travel.
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A new stop planned for May 2026
Train enthusiasts can already rejoice: the Venice Simplon Orient Express will return to Lyon on May 10, 2026, for a new journey to the Serenissima. In the meantime, the arrival of this legendary train promises to attract curious onlookers to the Part-Dieu platforms, eager to admire this steel legend that, for nearly a century, embodies the essence of French travel.
Source : Le Progrès