Mob Belle Epoque

Over a Hundred Years of Luxury

Hop in one of the cars of a Belle Epoque train and – abracadabra! You’ll be transported back in time. MOB has been taking customers on unforgettable journeys since 1913. As soon as you settle in, you’ll be immersed in the splendor of the Belle Epoque.

TEXT MARINE PASQUIER PHOTOS MOB/V. FLAURAUD

THE INCOMPARABLE STYLE OF THE ORIENT EXPRESS

THE SWITZERLAND WE KNOW AND LOVE

Ah! How wonderful the train cars of the Belle Epoque are! The nostalgia, the vintage luxury, the warmth of wood, the attention to detail, the craftsmanship ... The Belle Epoque train is magical: it takes you on a journey through time. Here, you will find yourself at the beginning of the 20th century, in the carefree period between the two world wars.

The story begins in 1913. In that year, no one suspected that war was about to engulf Europe. Dazzled by the trends of the Belle Epoque, the Montreux–Bernese Oberland (MOB) Railway company placed an order for three lounge cars: one first class, one mixed (first and second class) and one third class. In 1930, the interior was renovated to make it more comfortable. The cars were designed in the unmistakable Pullman style of the Orient Express. Today, the cars still proudly display the Golden Mountain Pullman Express logo on their bodywork in gold letters.

According to the Grand Livre du MOB, in 1931, the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits et des Grand Express Européens (International Sleeping-Car and Great European Expresses Company) built four high-comfort Pullman cars at its own expense to run on the MOB line. However, with the world in the grip of the Great Depression, the four cars were withdrawn from the fleet in 1931 – just a few months after they were introduced. The Golden Mountain Pullman Expresses of the early days therefore continued their journey alone.

But nothing has ever been able to dampen people’s fascination with these vehicles: neither the passage of time nor economic crises. Therefore, in 2005, MOB decided to transform four old cars into Belle Epoque cars. The result was astounding. These cars (two first class and two second class) run as normal trains. All you need to enjoy a ride on a Belle Epoque train is a standard ticket. There is no extra charge.

This train makes two round trips from Montreux to Zweisimmen every day. Les Avants, Château-d’Oex, Gstaad, Saanenmöser ... the picturesque scenes come one after the other, like a gallery of landscapes painted by a grand master. The train gently weaves its way between lakes and mountains, through forests and snow. The cows don’t bother to look up as the train passes, treating it as if it had always been there. It’s a must-see for tourists from all over the world. We will leave the closing words to the news anchor of TF1, who calls the experience: “The Switzerland we know and love.”

MOB - RUE DE LA GARE 22 - 1820 MONTREUX - SWITZERLAND - WWW.MOB.CH

The frameless sliding doors by swissFineLine enables flowing transitions between interior and exterior and provides a limitless space experience full of light, air and atmosphere.

MONT Pilatus

Ultimate mountain experiences

Nowhere do the stars shine more intensely and the sunrises are more spectacular than on Pilatus Kulm. In the heart of Switzerland, just 10 minutes from Lucerne and yet in a completely different world. With its fantastic panorama all the way to the Black Forest in Germany, the Jura Alps in France and all around the Swiss Alps, as well as a beautiful view of the Lake Lucerne, Mount Pilatus offers 2132 possibilities above sea level. A whole complex opened 365 days a year, including hotels, restaurants, shops, seminar and banquet spaces and a range of exciting excursion. Discover these unique experiences in the heart of the mountain.

TEXT DELPHINE GALLAY