No trains will run on a large section of the Riviera rail network today, Saturday, June 13, as SNCF carries out an extensive track modernisation programme that requires a complete suspension of services for 27 hours.
The disruption affects three key routes used daily by residents and visitors along the coast. No trains are running between Antibes and Monaco, between Nice and Breil, or between Cannes and Grasse. Services are also disrupted between Les Arcs and Antibes, and between Monaco and Ventimiglia. All trains — TER regional services, TGV and long-distance trains — have been cancelled. The suspension began at 12.30am this morning and runs through to 4.30am on Sunday.
The works, which form part of a major modernisation programme launched at the start of the year, require around 100 engineers and technicians working through the day and night. The operation involves replacing sections of track, upgrading or removing several junctions, and digitalising signalling equipment. The total cost of the works is 2.8 million euros.
Until now the programme has been carried out overnight to minimise disruption, but the scale of this weekend's operation made a full daytime suspension unavoidable.
Station buildings remain open, but passengers will not be able to board trains.
Replacement buses are in operation on all affected routes:
Nice to Breil: road replacement coaches between Nice and Breil, with onward connections via ZOU bus line ZEST L25 between Breil and Tende.
Grasse, Cannes, Nice, Monaco and Menton: passengers should use ZOU bus network services as follows.
Between Grasse station and Cannes station: ZOU lines 660, 661 Noctambus or 662.
Between Cannes station and Nice Parc Phoenix: ZOU lines 620 or 621 Noctambus.
Between Nice square Normandie Niemen, Monaco and Menton bus station: ZOU lines 600 or 601 Noctambus.
Full timetable information is available on the SNCF TER website at ter.sncf.com/sud-provence-alpes-cote-d-azur.
Normal services are expected to resume from Sunday morning.