Revival of the Iconic Orient Express: An Exclusive Glimpse into the Art Deco Renaissance

In 1883, Georges Nagelmackers founded what would eventually become one of the globe’s most distinguished train systems: the Orient Express. Guided by Sébastien Bazin of the Accor Group, the renewed Orient Express is set to make its way back to railways in 2027. The service will once again prioritize craftsmanship, luxury, and a steadfast commitment to detail, but with a focus equally attuned to modern preferences. Unsurprisingly, the Art Deco aesthetic is central to the initiative, manifested through geometric designs and fabrics, lavish archways, ornate ceilings, and selected materials like velvet, marble, and dark timber. These elements have all been carefully crafted in partnership with 30 master artisans, including embroiderers, sculptors, glass artisans, cabinetmakers, metal artisans, lighting designers, watchmakers, upholsterers, and other premium manufacturers. Together, the new Orient Express artfully merges tradition and innovation, bringing a cherished classic into the 21st century.

Importantly, this revival is not merely a reproduction effort, but a process of reimagining. In 2015, 17 of the original carriages from the Orient Express’s 1920s era were rediscovered, all of which are presently being restored in France. Maxime d’Angeac, artistic director of the Orient Express, has been careful in his architectural strategy, ensuring that the authentic essence of these vintage train cars—and the identity of the Orient Express overall—remains intact. “The future Orient Express is, above all, a technical challenge,” he remarked in a statement. “Even today, it stands as an engineering marvel.”

At the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, attendees can now get a glimpse of the new Orient Express through the ongoing exhibition 1925–2025: One Hundred Years of Art Deco. As the exhibition’s primary partner, the Orient Express is presenting life-size interior replicas of the reimagined train, alongside a 1926 Art Deco cabin drawn from the museum’s collection. Also displayed are previously unseen materials from the archives, examining the heritage of French craftsmanship in connection with the celebrated train service.

In addition to its rail service, the Orient Express brand recently inaugurated its first hotel, Orient Express La Minerva, in Rome, as well as the La Dolce Vita Orient Express train. In 2026, the brand will unveil Orient Express Corinthian, the first of two sailing yachts, and the Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice. The Orient Express has been a part of Accor’s collection of luxury brands since 2022.

For more information about this extraordinary revival, visit the Orient Express website.