The return of France’s train of marvels: from the Côte d’Azur to the Southern French Alps

A2205 words1:11News Report American AccentPublished May 24, 2026 · Updated May 24, 2026

Travel Nature Culture

Listen to Course

0:00

0:00

Comprehension Vocabulary Shadowing Quiz Dictation Writing Practice

Recommended Courses

Learner Reviews

Write a review

Back to Courses Enroll

#1

A famous train journey in France is open again.

#2

The Train des Merveilles, or Train of Wonders, reopened last December.

#3

Workers closed the line for one year to fix it.

#4

This scenic route goes from Nice to the small town of Tende.

#5

Nice is a big city on the south coast of France.

#6

The train journey takes about two hours and covers 100 kilometres.

#7

The train climbs 1,000 metres into the mountains.

#8

It is one of the most beautiful train routes in Europe.

#9

The route has more than 100 bridges and many tunnels.

#10

Builders started the line in 1883, so it is very old.

#11

Passengers start in Nice, a busy travel destination on the coast.

#12

After just ten minutes, the city changes to green hills.

#13

Travellers can see old houses with red roofs and chestnut trees.

#14

Then the mountains get bigger and bigger.

#15

The views from the train windows are amazing.

#16

The train ends in Tende, a small medieval town in the mountains.

#17

Tende is near the Mercantour national park.

#18

Many people ride the train and then go hiking in the park.

#19

Tourism is growing in this area because of the scenic route.

#20

This train journey is a great way to see the French Alps.