Merveilles means “marvels” and it’s hard to know whether they named the area for the stunning scenery, the beautiful old medieval villages or the archaeological findings going back 5000 years. The railway carriages are painted with designs inspired by the prehistoric rock carvings that have been discovered in the region.
Train des Merveilles
Scenic train journey taking you from the coast in Nice into the mountains further north
The train line actually runs all the way to Cuneo in Italy, but most sightseers only go as far as the medieval village of Tende or to Breil-Sur-Roya in the Vallée des Merveilles. To go all the way to Cuneo takes about 3 hours, with Tende being just 2 hours from the beginning of the line in Nice. Some of the services do not go all the way to the end of the line, so be careful when planning your journey or you may find yourself stuck somewhere in the middle!
What to see
Sights in Nice
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Train des Merveilles
Scenic train journey taking you from the coast in Nice into the mountains further north
Merveilles means “marvels” and it’s hard to know whether they named the area for the stunning scenery, the beautiful old medieval villages or the archaeological findings going back 5000 years. The railway carriages are painted with designs inspired by the prehistoric rock carvings that have been discovered in the region.
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Saint-Nicolas Russian Orthodox Cathedral
Ornate 20th century Russian orthodox cathedral
The most important orthodox cathedral outside Russia, this is a beautifully ornate building. It was built to serve the large Russian community that had settled in Nice.
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Marc Chagall National Museum
Largest collection of works by this Russian painter
Housing the largest collection of the Russian painter, Marc Chagall, the Chagall museum is one of Nice's top attractions.
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Ferrero Gallery
Prestigious art gallery representing regional artists
Founded as a photographic studio in 1958, and opened as a gallery in 1972, Jean Ferrero exhibited works from the School of Nice and the New Realism genre.
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Le Palais de la Mediterranee
Grand Art Deco inter-war casino turned into a 5 star luxury hotel
Opened to unprecedented acclaim in 1929, Le Palais de la Méditerranée instantly became a showcase of luxury and inter-war celebration.
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Sainte-Jeanne d'Arc Church
Original Art Deco domed church
This modern church dedicated to Joan of Arc was built in the 1920s in an Art Deco style with a large white central dome surrounded by three smaller domes.
Where to lunch
Restaurants in Nice
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Restaurant des Rois, Beaulieu Sur Mer
Described as "The restaurant of kings & the king of restaurants"
The jewel in the crown of La Réserve de Beaulieu hotel is this gastronomic restaurant which has one Michelin star.
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Le Chantecler Restaurant
Fine Michelin-starred restaurant offering Provencal inspired cuisine
In a Regency-style dining room decorated with magnificent 18th century woodwork, Jean-Denis Rieubland proposes two menus, "Découverte" and "Chantecler".
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Opera Plage Beach Club
Most reasonably priced beach-restaurant option, great for families
One of the oldest private beaches in Nice, and one of the cheapest, this is a family beach with friendly staff and a traditional restaurant.
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Salon de The de la Villa Ephrussy de Rotschild, St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Tea room & restaurant in a stunning villa setting
Set in the room that Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild’s used as a dining room, the tea room/restaurant's terrace overlooks the Bay of Villefranche. All day, you can break for a delicious snack in this calm oasis with an unrestricted view of the bay.
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Sushi Bar Restaurant, Vieux Nice
Popular restaurant serving excellent sushi in Nice Old Town
The heart of Vieux Nice may not be the most likely neighbourhood for a sushi restaurant but this popular place is open for lunch and dinner all year round.
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Ô Saveurs Du Marché Restaurant
French restaurant outside of the city centre of Nice
Fresh, seasonal produce bought at the local markets is at the centre of this restaurant's culinary offering.
What to do
Things To Do in Nice
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Solar Powered Boat Trip
6 person Motor Boat tours along the French Riviera
Enjoy a wonderful, peaceful and fume-free journey along the French Riviera on a solar powered motor boat with a professional skipper.
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Motorbike day tour
Seven-hour guided motorcycle tour through the Verdon Gorge
A fantastic way to experience the breathtaking scenery of the South of France.
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Road bike hire
Quality road bike rentals to explore the French Riviera
This company is based in Nice and offers a wide range of road bikes.
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Sunset Boat Trip
Sunset motor boat tour along the French Riviera
Enjoy a wonderful, peaceful and fume-free journey along the French Riviera on a solar powered motor boat with a professional skipper.
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Provence self-guided motorbike tour
Seven-night self-guided Provence tour with motorbike holiday specialists in Nice
A trip for intermediate riders, where you can enjoy some of the most scenic roads in Provence.
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Motorbike hire
Wide selection of BMW, Ducati, Harley Davidson and Triumph motorcycles available for rent
Based in Nice, motorbike and scooter rental so you can explore the South of France.
How to get passes
An unlimited day ticket (Pass ZOU) costs 15€ per person and is valid for all journeys on the Train des Merveilles line. They are available at the main train station in nice or at any stations along the route.
