Two new train links between Italy and the south of France are in the works: one from Milan to Nice via Monaco and a second through the mountains of the Mercantour to the city of Turin. Here are the details we know so far. 

The Covid pandemic brought an unfortunate end of the popular Thello train route from the south of France to Milan, but it has now been revealed that Trenitalia is keen to revive the service with the support of France’s SNCF network. 

By summer, the Milan to Marseille journey could be a daily occurrence. Although the specific stops along the route are yet to be confirmed, it is very likely that both Nice and Monaco will feature as well as Ventimiglia.  

A scenic link to Turin from Nice via Breil-sur-Roya is also in the works and could be operational by summer 2025. The concept is a service similar to the famous Ferroviaire del Bernina express line from St. Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano in Northern Italy, which offers passengers spell-binding views of the Alps thanks to panoramic carriages.  

CROSS-BORDER ALLIANCE 

The reopening of the Milan connection and the launch new mountain route is something Italy, Monaco and France are keen on. Cross-border tourism benefits all three, and a meeting was held in the Ligurian town of Imperia earlier this month to launch an alliance.  

“Alone, we cannot necessarily release significant resources [to run these lines],” long-time Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi told the press. “Joining our forces will allow us to better finance projects, with very precise timetables.” 

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Photo source of the Bernina Express: Andreas Stutz