The Legendary Orient Express Is Returning – Starting Now in Paris
The Orient Express is about to roll again. Nearly a century after its golden age, the legendary train that once linked Paris and Istanbul is being brought back to life – and its rebirth begins in Paris right now.
At the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the exhibition 1925–2025: Cent ans d’Art Déco celebrates 100 years of Art Déco style.
Among the furniture, jewelry, and design pieces, one star catches every eye: the Orient Express. Inside the museum’s vast nave stands a restored 1920s carriage, once part of the Étoile du Nord line.
The polished wood, engraved glass, and brass details recreate the atmosphere that made the train a symbol of elegance and modernity.
Next to it are three full-size mock-ups of the new Orient Express: a cabin, a bar car, and a dining car.
Designed by French architect Maxime d’Angeac, these new interiors pay tribute to the Art Déco spirit while meeting today’s luxury standards. Marquetry, Lalique-inspired glass, and velvet seating give a taste of what travelers will experience when the train hits the rails again in 2027.
The project is led by the Accor group, which owns the Orient Express brand and is restoring 17 original 1920s carriages. These were found stored in Belgium, forgotten for decades, then carefully rebuilt by master craftsmen.
The plan is to reopen the line as a luxury rail experience running between Paris and destinations such as Venice, Rome, and Istanbul – a return to the classic routes that inspired novels, films, and dreams for generations.
The 2027 revival goes beyond the train itself. It’s part of a larger Orient Express world that includes hotels, cruises, and design collaborations. The goal is to rebuild an entire travel universe rooted in French savoir-faire and early-20th-century aesthetics.
At the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the connection between the old and new is immediate. The Art Déco masterpieces that once defined modern style now share space with the reborn train that carried that very look across Europe.
Standing inside the museum, visitors can sense both history and anticipation, the echo of a journey that’s about to begin again.
The exhibition “1925–2025: Cent ans d’Art Déco” runs from 22 October 2025 to 26 April 2026 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, 107 rue de Rivoli, Paris 1er.