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The long-imagined metro line linking Nice, Monaco, and Ventimiglia — once presented as a bold solution to ease mobility along the Riviera — has now been definitively taken off the table. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed on 21 November that the proposal will not move forward, citing insurmountable financial and engineering obstacles.
Speaking to Nice-Matin, Tabarot made his position clear: the underground system was “neither technically nor financially feasible.” The Minister, who previously served as a senator for the Alpes-Maritimes, described the idea as appealing in theory but unrealistic when measured against the realities of the region’s dramatic coastline, geological constraints, and dense urban layout.
The concept had nevertheless generated enthusiasm when Monaco initiated a call for applications in October 2024 to explore the possibility of a subterranean corridor between the Principality and Èze. Early projections suggested the route could be operational within six to eight years, carrying up to 30,000 passengers per day. But estimated costs — falling between €1.2 and €4 billion — ultimately proved prohibitive.
With the project’s cancellation, the 50,000 daily cross-border commuters who move between France, Monaco, and Italy will continue to rely on the regional TER network. Tabarot emphasized ongoing improvements: service frequency has increased by 30% since December 2024, offering trains every 15 minutes from Cannes to Menton via Monaco. Authorities hope these upgrades will provide a more realistic and immediate response to congestion challenges.
For regular train users, the official abandonment of the metro comes as little surprise. Geotechnical limitations — cliffs, tunnels, narrow corridors, and heavily built-up areas — had long raised doubts about the feasibility of drilling a major new underground line. Additionally, navigating tripartite agreements between France, Monaco, and Italy would have required years of administrative coordination.
With the metro shelved, attention now turns to strengthening existing mobility solutions while regional leaders search for long-term, sustainable answers to Riviera transport pressures.