The idea for the Orient Express is by Georges Nagelmackers, creator of the French Compagnie Internationale des Wagon-Lits. Inspired by the American Pullman carriages, Georges thought of a luxury train that would connect Paris to Constantinople, currently Istanbul, with sleeping carriages, a bar and a restaurant. Since 1883, with several interruptions and even the abandonment of service, the Orient Express has become an icon of the world railroad and a dream trip for many.
The Orient Express is currently operated as a luxury experience, with 7 of the original carriages.
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This train is not accessible.
This video is not sponsored by Orient Express
TER Grand Est
In the regions of Alsace, Lorraine, Champagne-Ardenne, regional long-haul services are operated under the TER Grand-Est and TER Fluo brands. These services use different trains, railcars or the classic locomotive + carriage.
coral
Corail carriages are probably the most iconic railway carriages in the world. These carriages were originally developed for SNCF in order to renew their carriage fleet. The name Corail derives from the fusion of the words "Comfort" and "Rail". These carriages circulate in other countries, including Portugal.
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Some of these carriages have been adapted over the years. The Corails have space for up to 3 passengers in a wheelchair and an accessible toilet. All have sound ads, but only a few have visual ads.
SNCF BB 26000
SNCF's 26000 series locomotives run at speeds of up to 200km/h and can pull up to 16 Corail carriages. The Sybic, as they are also known, were developed in the 1980s and manufactured between 1988 and 1998, and are still at the service of the SNCF, all over France.
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These locomotives do not have passenger seats and are not accessible.
Gare de Strasbourg-Ville
The station, better known as Gare Centrale, or Gare de Strasbourg, was opened in 1883, when Germany decided to replace the old Gare de Strasbourg. This station is characterized by its gigantic original façade, preserved by an equally huge glass roof. The station, in addition to SNCF services, connects CTS buses and Strasbourg trams.
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The station is fully accessible. The main entrance is accessible to people in wheelchairs, giving access to lifts to the platforms and also to lifts for tram lines A and D, in the basement. There is a secondary entrance, direct to the trams, which is not accessible to people in wheelchairs.
There is tactile pavement outside, atriums, shops and access to platforms. The station has an audible and visual announcement system.
strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region, administratively referred to as the Great East, and my favorite city. The city is located on the left bank of the River Rhine and is crossed by the tributary River III. With a population of around 290,000 permanent inhabitants, Strasbourg is known for its historic center, a World Heritage Site, and especially for the Petit France district and the Notre Dame Cathedral, dating from 1439. Due to the annexation by Germany during the Second World War , there is a huge mix of German and French architecture. The city has one of the largest and most successful tram networks, from 1994, which revolutionized tram networks around the world. It also has the second best network of cycle paths in France. Strasbourg is officially the European capital, using the Eurométropole brand to assert itself as such, and is the seat of the European Parliament. It is also the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights. The University of Strasbourg is one of the most important in France.
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The entire city is quite accessible, overall. There are different levels of accessibility quality, depending on the year in which works were carried out on the site. The historic area, especially the Petit France district, has pavements that are more uncomfortable for people in wheelchairs. The walkways are lowered and have a tactile floor. There is a tactile pavement to alert you to the bike lanes and tram lines. Most public buildings and shops are accessible.