Corail Lunea

Introduction

photo:Daniel Elkan A Corail Lunea about to leave Briancon station

Corail Lunea trains are sleeper trains that runs overnight between Paris and destinations in France and Andorra. You can also reach some Italian resorts with them.
During most weeks of the the ski season Corail Lunea trains run every night. Typically you get on at around 10pm or 11pm in Paris and arrive in the Alps or Pyrenees between 7am and 8.30am, depending on your destination.

There's no disco carriage on the Corail Lunea trains like there was on the Snow Train.

French skiers often bring a bottle of wine a little picnic too - to toast the fact that they'll be on the ski slopes the next morning, and the ambience is nice

Couchettes

photo:Daniel Elkan A book before bedtime..

Each couchette bed has freshly laundered sheets, a pillow and duvet. A bottle of water and an eye mask are supplied. Standard class couchettes sleep six, while First Class couchettes are basically the same couchette with just four (slightly wider) beds - giving you more space per person for luggage.

The door can be locked from the inside and the main light can be switched off and individual reading lights turned on. The door can be locked from the inside. The upper and middle bunks have straps that ensure that if you are "roller" when you sleep, you can't end up rolling off onto the floor!

Although not spacious, there's sufficient room in each compartment to store luggage, under the beds (the best place for skis and boards) and in racks at the foot end and head end of the couchette.  In a full couchette of six people some luggage might have to be stored in the middle too.

Reclining seats

photo:Daniel Elkan Reclining seats - not recommended..

The Corail Lunea also has some carriages with reclining seats.

This might be the cheapest option but it is unlikely to give you a great night's sleep, even though the angle of the recline is quite generous we wouldn't recommend these as your first choice.

Snack bar

photo:Daniel Elkan Snack machines on board

There is no buffet car on the Corail Lunea, so eat at Paris Austerlitz station before you get on board, or bring a picnic.
If you do get the urge for a midnight feast you'll find vending machines that serve hot and cold drinks, crisps and chocolate.

Overnight staff

photo:Daniel Elkan Staff stay awake while you sleep

As with all overnight trains, members of staff stay awake and are available at any time.