The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train now goes to Courchevel

The chicest way to reach the French Alps: The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train

After the city of the Doges, Florence and Vienna, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is taking advantage of the onset of winter to set sail for Courchevel. Piloted by the Belmond group, this legendary train plunges travelers into the magic of the holidays.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train

Departing from the Gare de l’Est, they are greeted by a team dressed in gold and midnight blue bellhops, before being guided into the cabins. Rather narrow, there is even a velvet sofa, a small side table and a cabinet for washing.

And for those who would like more space, there is still the possibility of affording one of the three suites (baptized Budapest, Vienna and Prague) equipped with double beds and a “real” bathroom with a shower. Italian style and beauty kits signed Guerlain.

With a black tie dress-code, a crowd in long dresses embroidered with sequins or dressed in tuxedos gathers at aperitif time at the bar. Installed on sofas and armchairs in blue velvet, we sip glasses of champagne and other well-chilled cocktails: martinis, negronis, magaritas, bellinis… First warm-up before joining one of the two restaurants on the train.

Decorated with Christmas wreaths, gold or blue, each of these two spaces offers a winter menu created by chef Jean Imbert. Petrossian caviar, scallop crudo, buttered turbot, fine pastries… Dinner is served with crispy bread, Bordier butter and handpicked good French wines. Then as night falls, a group of live musicians criss-cross the carriages, playing the classics of Frank Sinatra or the famous Tu vuo ‘fa’ l’americano by Renato Carosone.

When it’s time to dive into the arms of Morpheus, the appointed butler has prepared each cabin for the night: the bed is made, the lights dimmed, the slippers and the dressing gown taken out. Lulled by the gentle movement of the rails, you wake up with a French-style breakfast, to be enjoyed facing a landscape of mountains, rivers and lakes. Last gustatory moment before arriving in the Alps, the brunch brings together an egg casserole with caviar, langoustine ravioli and a homemade tarte tatin.

Last pleasure before going down to the station platform and reaching the peaks.

The Venice-Simplon Orient Express train
From Paris to Moutiers
From 3353 pounds/per person