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Historic train between Ventimiglia and Tende

A spectacular tourist train route Ready for a journey through time?

This summer, hop aboarda train like no other! The historic trains running between Turin, the Roya Valley and the Riviera invite you to (re)discover a spectacular railway line. A journey through the heart of the Alps, taking in spiral tunnels, dizzying viaducts and hilltop villages, to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Ready for an unforgettable journey along the Roya?

🤝 An initiative organised by the French Riviera Community, as part of the European VERMENAGNA ROYA III – INTERREG VI A ALCOTRA 2021/2027 project, with the support of the SUD Region.

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A vintage train

on a legendary route

Chartered by Fondazione FS Italiane, this historic Italian train winds its way through the Roya Valley, offering a unique escape combining heritage, nature and emotion. A true cross-border line, this century-old railway connects the Mediterranean to the Alpine peaks at an altitude of nearly 1,000 metres. It symbolises both the memory of a region and a sustainable future for tourism. With every whistle, a whole chapter of history comes back to life.

From the sea to the mountains

Within a few kilometres, the landscape transforms and the atmosphere shifts. It is a true sensory journey, where you can experience the full richness and diversity of the Menton, Riviera & Merveilles region.

Plan ahead

This summer, you can board the historic train from Ventimiglia to Tende.

Prices:

€20 return per adult
€10 return per child aged over 4 and under 11
Free for children under 4

Dates and booking

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Ventimiglia to Tende Historic Train 2025

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Damien Viano Facebook Trains Daqui
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DAMIEN VIANO

An ode to contemplation

Charming villages in the heart of an exceptional valley

The Roya Valley, considered the most spectacular section of the line, transports you to the borders of the Alps and the Mediterranean. A true gateway to the legendary Vallée des Merveilles, this unspoilt region reveals a bountiful natural environment and an extraordinary heritage. Every stop along the train’s route is an invitation to explore: hilltop villages, medieval alleyways, painted chapels, passionate artisans… Here, every village has its own history, atmosphere and treasures.
Explore them step by step, as if on a journey through time.

The 10 municipalities involved in the Vermenagna-Roya project

Breil-sur-Roya

Nestled at an altitude of 280 metres, right in the heart of the Roya Valley, Breil-sur-Roya is a magnificent medieval village bordered by the river and surrounded by terraced olive groves. Recognised asa ‘Station verte’, it offers a true haven of peace by its lake — the‘Lac aux Cygnes’— much loved by anglers, rowers and walkers.

📌 Must-sees:

Also worth discovering:

Hop on the “Museum Train” and enjoy a stop of around 1½ hours at Breil-sur-Roya, the perfect opportunity to visit the Transport Ecomuseum.

Fontan

Fontan, an iconic stop onthe old Route Royale, takes its name from the Latin Fontes Aquarum – the many springs that gush forth within its boundaries. A haven of nature and culture, inviting you to relax by the river, discover a stunning Baroque heritage and immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of the Roya.

📌 Must-sees:

The Church of Notre Dame de la Visitation

Also worth discovering:

Take the peaceful route along the hillside gardens to discover the village in a different light.

Saorge

Perched some 500 metres above the Roya Gorges, Saorge offers a truly spectacular natural and architectural sight. Listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, this monastery village, with its “Tibetan village” feel, stretches out like an amphitheatre on the mountainside, 1 km from the station.

La Brigue

Just 4 km away, this village nestles in its mountain setting and is home to a chapel known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Alps”. Perched at an altitude of 633 metres, La Brigue is a well-preserved medieval gem, at the foot of the Marguareis massif and at the entrance to the Mercantour valleys.

📌 Must-sees:

Access and bus timetables:

Zest: the French Riviera transport network | Keolis | Zestbus

Also worth a visit:

The ruins of the Château des Comtes Lascaris
The Oratory Trail

Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende

The Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende stop is dominated by a monumental neoclassical station, built in the 1920s on the orders of Benito Mussolini, at a time when Tende was still part of Italy. An iconic stop, at the heart of cross-border history! Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende is also a gateway to the great outdoors: set off on a hike to the Mercantour Massif and the Vallée des Merveilles ( via the Zest buses).

Tende

Perched at an altitude of around 800 metres, Tende is a charming stopover village, rich in Franco-Italian influences, and features in the prestigious Michelin Green Guide’s ‘100 Most Beautiful Detours in France’. Situated on the old Route Royale and the Haute Route du Sel, it is the final stop on the French side before Piedmont, set against a spectacular mountain backdrop dominated by the Col de Tende at 1,871 m

📌 Must-sees:

The Merveilles Departmental Museum: Free entry. For an enriching experience, do remember to book your guided tour of the museum at 2.30 pm.
The Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption

Also worth discovering:

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Collegiale Notre Dame De Lassomption Tende Isabelle Fabre 1 Min

Practical info Picnic areas

An event organised by the French Riviera Community as part of the European VERMENAGNA ROYA III – INTERREG VI A ALCOTRA 2021/2027 project, with the support of the SUD Region