Unveiled at the landmark exhibition “1925-2025: A Century of Art Deco” at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, within the grounds of the Louvre, The Orient Express Train stands as a striking dialogue between heritage and modernity. As the principal exhibit in what is being hailed as one of the most significant Art Deco showings ever staged, it is exceptionally rare for a hospitality brand to take centre stage in a cultural exhibition of this magnitude, a true testament to Orient Express’s iconic status. Its inclusion recognises architect Maxime d’Angeac’s outstanding ability to reimagine Art Deco for the future.
Each carriage celebrates the spirit of the Art Deco masters – Ruhlmann, Dunand, Lalique-Haviland – while integrating 21st-century craftsmanship, technology, and sustainability. Thirty master artisans, from glassmakers and cabinetmakers to embroiderers and upholsterers, are contributing to this renaissance of luxury travel.
The story behind the train’s revival is as extraordinary as the design itself. After a decade-long search, Orient Express’s in-house historian, Arthur Mettetal, used Google Maps and 3D satellite imagery to trace 17 original 1920s carriages, thought to be lost to history and eventually found abandoned on the
Poland-Belarus border. These original carriages have now been painstakingly restored in France by some of the country’s most exceptional artisans, including Rinck, Ateliers Jouffre, and the Tapestry Manufacture of Burgundy, preserving Morrison & Nelson marquetry and Lalique glasswork while reimagining the interiors for a new generation of travellers.
This launch marks a milestone in the evolution of the Orient Express brand, owned by Accor since 2022, following the launch of La Dolce Vita Orient Express train and La Minerva hotel in Rome earlier this year, with new offerings soon to include Orient Express Venice (April 2026) and the Orient Express Corinthian sailing yacht (June 2026). Today, Orient Express stands out as one of the most newsworthy luxury brands in the world, uniquely offering a trilogy of hotels, trains and yachts. With its exceptional heritage and rich archive, this iconic brand is now being reimagined for future generations.
The Orient Express Train
Paris, France
