On a clear Tuesday morning at Nice-Ville station, the Train des Merveilles departed on its scenic route through the Alpes-Azur mountains, offering passengers a unique journey distinct from the bustling Côte d’Azur coastline. The train, which reopened last December after a year-long closure for extensive maintenance, traverses approximately 100 kilometers and ascends about 1,000 meters, linking the city of Nice with Tende, a medieval town near the Mercantour national park.

The route, originally constructed in 1883, poses significant engineering challenges due to the rugged terrain. It includes over 100 bridges and viaducts, as well as a similar number of tunnels and retaining walls. Notably, the line incorporates helical loop tunnels that allow the train to gain altitude by spiraling inside the mountains.

After leaving the suburban outskirts of Nice, the train climbs through a landscape dotted with chestnut groves and villas with auburn roofs. The dramatic transformation from coastal plains to mountainous peaks becomes evident as jagged summits overshadow the narrow valley roads below. The journey generally takes about two hours from Nice to Tende.

Many travelers continue directly to Tende to access hiking trails that branch out around the national park, but some passengers, including the train’s recent visitors, chose to disembark at intermediate stops like Sospel and La Brigue. At Sospel, a small medieval town, visitors can explore the 13th-century Pont-Vieux bridge over the Bévéra River and a market featuring local produce, including cheeses and breads. Further along, La Brigue serves as an entrance to the Mercantour park and is known for the Chapel of Our Lady of Fountains, which houses 15th-century frescoes by Giovanni Canavesio and is often compared to the Sistine Chapel because of its vivid artwork.

Tende, located about 800 meters above sea level, offers visitors views of wooded slopes and the distant Marguareis massif near the Italian border. The town’s medieval architecture includes the ruins of Chateau Lascaris. Visitors can also explore the Musée de Merveilles, highlighting one of Europe’s largest Neolithic and Bronze Age rock-engraving sites. The town’s history is closely linked to the Salt Road, a trade route used from the Middle Ages through the 18th century to connect the Piedmontese Alps with the Ligurian coast.

After returning to the coast, travelers have convenient access to nearby destinations such as Antibes and Beaulieu-sur-Mer, where historical sites and seaside promenades complement the regional cuisine. Local restaurants in Nice offer traditional dishes including daube niçoise, bourride, and seafood specialties, reflecting the area's gastronomic heritage.

The Train des Merveilles runs daily from June through September, departing Nice at 9:30 a.m., with an onboard guide accompanying the journey. A regional rail pass that includes the line can be purchased for €20, facilitating access to this diverse and culturally rich region where alpine landscapes contrast sharply with the Mediterranean coast.