The featured image above shows one of the present modern diesel units at the Chemins de Fer du Sud/Chemin de Fer de Provence station in Nice. [4]
I discovered this Video on YouTube recently (October 2025) – it looks at the line in 1973. The commentary is in French. The changes to the line in the 52 years since 1973 have been significant!
2025 News!
A. Stadler to Deliver Hybrid Trains in Southern France
Among other news providers, on 16th April 2025, Railway-News reported that Stadler had signed a contract with Région Sud to supply eight customised hybrid multiple units for Chemins de fer de Provence (CP). The full article can be found here. [2]
The new units will replace older diesel units currently in use on the 150-kilometre route.
“Designed for both urban and rural operation, the trains combine battery and biodiesel-powered drive systems. This hybrid configuration is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 77% compared with conventional diesel vehicles. … A battery charging facility is being constructed in Nice as part of the supporting infrastructure for the new fleet.” [2]
The trains are being manufactured at Stadler’s facility in Bussnang, Switzerland. The vehicles will be delivered and commissioned by 2028. [2]
B. Chemins De Fer de Provence (CP ZOU) and Ligne d’Azur
On 11th August 2025, the Chemins de Fer de Provence confirmed that its urban stops between Nice and Le Chaudan are available with a Lignes d’Azur ticket. In parallel the railway company announced that it was increasing the frequency of its services
between Nice and Colomars, with 4 additional evening round trips on Fridays and Saturdays. Further details can be found here. [3]
C. Nice-Matin: More travelers and more challenges on the Chemins de Fer de Provence
Nice-Matin’s latest article about the Chemins de Fer de Provence published on 5th October 2025. Highlights a significant rise in passenger numbers since July 2023. Since July 2023 and the agreement with Lignes d’Azur making it possible to take the train with the same ticket as for the bus or tram, attendance has increased considerably.
Jean-Paul David, regional councilor and president of the Regional Transport Authority says: “We have counted 450,000 trips in 2022, 500,000 trips in 2024 and we will probably be at 630,000 by the end of the year. … “Train frequency has increased to 20 minutes during peak hours!” The full article can be seen here. [6]
D. Work to re-open the line to Digne-les-Bains.
Infrastructure work on the line between Nice and Digne-les-Bains is ongoing. It includes reconstruction of a section of the 2 km Moriez tunnel where a 25 m section about 400 m from the western portal collapsed in February 2019. The job is due to be completed at the end of 2025, paving the way for through rail services from Nice to Digne-les-Bains to be reinstated from early 2026. [7]
The 151 km route has 25 tunnels with a combined length of 11 km and two covered cuttings. The line also features 102 masonry or metal bridges and numerous other structures. Services carry around 500 000 passengers a year. [7]
References
- https://youtu.be/ipq6KaLONyo, accessed on 14th October 2025.
- https://railway-news.com/stadler-to-deliver-hybrid-trains-in-southern-france, accessed on 15th October 2025.
- https://www.cpzou.fr/en/news/cp-zou-with-lignes-dazur, accessed on 15th October 2025.
- https://www.seeprovence.com/reviews/train-des-pignes-nice-689015, accessed on 15th October 2025.
- https://laboutiqueducabri.fr/les-nouvelles-rames-des-chemins-de-fer-de-provence, accessed on 15th October 2025.
- https://www.nicematin.com/societe/transports/plus-de-voyageurs-et-plus-d-enjeux-sur-les-chemins-de-fer-de-provence-10650930, accessed on 15th October 2025.
- https://www.railwaygazette.com/passenger/funding-deal-secures-future-of-nice-digne-line/67147.article, accessed on 15th October 2025.
Roger Farnworth 