Here’s how to plan a train trip from Paris to Milan with Europe’s style express

After a long closure, direct train services between Paris and Milan resume this month, with big-hitting stops along the way.

April sees the return of Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa service between Paris and Milan, suspended since 2023 due to a landslide in the French Alps. The ‘red arrow’ engines whisk passengers between the two fashion capitals in as little as six-and-a-half hours. But there are plenty of reasons to plan a longer trip, stopping en route: the line passes through some glorious mountain scenery, calling in at several Alpine gateway towns as well as two of Europe’s most under-rated cities. Tickets start from €35 (£29) one-way.

Paris

The 19th arrondissement is home to several new openings. Recently refurbished, La Géode cinema offers the chance to see an IMAX film inside a giant disco ball — if the film’s in French, headsets providing an English translation are available for hire. Nearby is new food hall Boom Boom Villette, which also hosts live music.

Lyon

Picturesquely situated at the confluence of two great rivers, France’s food capital is home to a slew of fresh culinary experiences. New restaurant Astral serves tasting menus of haute cuisine, while the high-concept 220 BPM whisks small groups of blindfolded diners to a secret forest location for an experiential feast. Alternatively, try the new ‘aperitif tour’ with local specialists Praline & Rosette.

Turin

Once the capital of Italy, this often-overlooked city retains a timeless elegance, its abundance of palazzos and porticos backdropped by the Italian Alps. Visit in spring for warmer weather and the European Night of the Museums on 17 May, during which many cultural institutions offer free, late-night openings.

Milan

The city is abuzz during Design Week, 8-13 April, with districts like Brera and Zona Tortona turning into open-air galleries. Don’t miss the Brera Modern art gallery, recently opened after a 50-year wait — afterwards, head to Città Studi’s Bar Basso to drink negronis with locals. Or take to the waters at De Montel, which will be Italy’s largest urban thermal park when it opens this April.