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The iconic Orient Express is returning with its restored 1920s carriages

Accor has restored 17 original 1920s train cars, reviving the golden age of travel

By Amanda Teague Nov 5, 2025 4:00 AM

Orient Express / Alixe Lay / Maxime d'Agneac — Orient Express / Alixe Lay / Maxime d’Agneac

Sixteen years after the legendary Orient Express came to a halt, the world’s most iconic train is getting ready to roll again. French hospitality group Accor has announced that the historic Orient Express will relaunch in 2027, featuring 17 original carriages from the 1920s, each painstakingly restored to its former Art Deco glory after being lost for decades.

The carriages were rediscovered by a team of historians and railway experts before undergoing an extraordinary refurbishment that brings the Golden Age of travel back to life. Inside, passengers will step into a time capsule of 1920s luxury, complete with Art Deco details, gleaming wood paneling, and Cartier clocks adorning each bedroom. Every suite includes a double bed, a private bathroom with sliding doors, and a dressing room, ensuring travelers can journey in comfort and style.

A new chapter in luxury rail travel

For those looking to indulge, the Presidential Suite takes opulence to new heights. Occupying an entire carriage, it features a separate living room, bedroom, and bathroom. The Bar Car has been reimagined with a vaulted ceiling and original pieces recovered from the Nostalgie-Istanbul Orient Express, while the large panoramic windows allow guests to watch the European countryside glide by in cinematic fashion.

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On October 27, Accor unveiled the restored carriages at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris as part of the exhibition 1925-2025: A Century of Art Deco, one of the most significant showcases of the style ever staged.

When the Orient Express officially returns to service in 2027, it will once again journey through Rome, Venice, Naples, and along the shores of Sicily. Until then, travelers can catch a glimpse of this reborn icon at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, on display until April 26, 2026.

Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word… Read Full Bio

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