Genoa–Ventimiglia railway @Wikipedia
Travellers along the Côte d’Azur will need to plan ahead in 2026, as SNCF has announced an extension of major night-time works on the strategic Nice–Ventimiglia rail line. Initially scheduled to conclude in December 2025, the modernisation programme will now continue until the end of 2026, significantly affecting evening and overnight travel.
According to the operator, two new work periods are planned. From 14 December 2025 to 12 July 2026, and again from 30 August to 11 December 2026, no trains will run between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, in either direction. Services on Friday and Saturday nights will remain operational. The disruption will particularly impact cross-border workers and residents of Monaco, for whom the line is a vital daily link with neighbouring France and Italy.
The extended closures are part of an ambitious infrastructure upgrade designed to improve long-term safety and reliability. The first phase will focus on securing unstable rock faces overlooking the tracks and upgrading railway signalling systems along the coast. From the start of the 2026 school year, teams from SNCF Réseau will tackle two major engineering challenges: reinforcing the Cap Roux tunnel in Villefranche-sur-Mer and replacing the deck of a rail bridge in Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
To limit inconvenience, replacement solutions will be deployed. Coaches will operate direct connections between Ventimiglia and Monaco, while bus services between Menton and Nice will be reinforced. Travellers are strongly advised to consult updated timetables on the SNCF website and anticipate longer journey times during this extended period of works.