Train des Merveilles

This railway line has had an eventful history, marked by difficulties and challenges. Considered one of the most spectacular railway lines in Europe, it links two Italian regions – Piedmont and Liguria – as well as the French Riviera, crossing the Alps via the Roya Valley and the Col de Tende. The difficulties of its construction, linked to the mountainous and wild terrain it crosses, were overcome thanks to remarkable technical feats: imposing bridges and viaducts, long tunnels and helical loops enable the line to cross the Alps and reach the Mediterranean. Contrary to popular belief, mountains do not separate peoples but have always been places of passage and encounter. Here, the railway thus becomes a true symbol of the relationship between the regions and cultures of the Southern Alps. The Train des Merveilles Ecomuseum traces the fascinating history of this transport route, which connects communities by defying the mountains.