This is the Accor group’s great bet: to revive the Orient Express brand by relaunching the legendary train and expanding it with equally luxurious hotels and ships. It all started in 2018, when the hotel group bought 17 cars, which were actually those of the Nostalgie-Istanbul-Orient-Express from the years 1920-1930, called “Glatt cars” and stored in Poland. Some are still in good condition. In 2022, Accor bought the “Orient Express” brand from SNCF (for a secret amount), with the aim of putting the train back on the rails.
Twelve sleeping cars, a restaurant, three lounges and a van were brought to France. Then began a long restoration work entrusted to the architect Maxime d’Angeac and about thirty master craftsmen. The first images released by Accor (corridors, bar and restaurant car, sleeping car) set the tone: marquetry by Morrison and Nelson, panels by Lalique, luxurious decoration emblematic of the Art Deco style.
A commercial launch delayed until 2027
However, the commercial launch by Accor is delayed. Initially scheduled for 2025, the first departure will take place in early 2027. Meanwhile, this Saturday it is possible to go to the Parisian Museum of Decorative Arts, which celebrates the centenary of this important artistic and stylistic movement with a major exhibition. And in particular, we will be able to discover parts of historical trains and three life-size carriage models of the future Accor version of the train.
Remember that Accor now circulates in Italy with another equally legendary train: the Dolce Vita-Orient Express.Tribute to an Italian train from the 60s/70s. Accor’s projects around the Orient Express brand with luxury hotels and sailboats will accelerate, thanks to a “strategic investment” by the giant LVMH in the entity.
In addition, the luxury group owns the “Venice Simplon-Orient-Express” train. It is worth remembering that the mythical train has had several operators and owners over time, with different names and different routes in Europe and Asia.
Source: BFM TV
