Reopened Train des Merveilles railway connects Nice with the Southern French Alps

The article describes the reopening of the Train des Merveilles (Train of Wonders), a scenic railway line in southeastern France that links the glamorous Côte d’Azur with the rugged landscapes of the Southern French Alps. After major maintenance work, the line reopened and now offers travelers a two-hour journey from Nice to the mountain town of Tende, climbing about 1,000 meters through tunnels, viaducts, and dramatic alpine terrain. The route passes through historic and picturesque stops, including Sospel, a medieval town with a 13th-century bridge and lively market, and La Brigue, known for its narrow streets and the Chapel of Our Lady of Fountains, which contains remarkable 15th-century frescoes often compared to a small “Sistine Chapel of the Alps.” As the train continues deeper into the Mercantour National Park region, passengers experience increasingly remote and elevated scenery, with steep valleys, dense forests, and jagged peaks. The line’s engineering, originally developed in the late 19th century, includes numerous bridges, tunnels, and innovative mountain loops designed to gain altitude across difficult terrain. The journey culminates in Tende, a hillside village with medieval roots, mountain views, and cultural attractions such as the Musée des Merveilles, which highlights prehistoric rock engravings and the region’s history as part of ancient trade routes like the Salt Road. The article also highlights how the railway enables easy day trips from Nice to nearby coastal destinations such as Antibes and Beaulieu-sur-Mer, blending seaside leisure with alpine exploration. Food, local culture, and regional cuisine are emphasized throughout, showing how the area combines natural beauty, history, and gastronomy into a compact travel experience. Overall, the restored train line is presented as a unique way to experience the contrast between the French Riviera and the Southern Alps in a single journey.