Read on to discover how Le Train Bleu captured the spirit of the era…
The advent of railways in the 19th century redefined travel, opening up possibilities for people to explore new places. With long-distance journeys more accessible than ever, the picturesque, sun-drenched resorts of southern Europe became a hotspot for royalty and aristocracy. To meet growing passenger demand, a new kind of train emerged – a mobile grand hotel – symbolising luxury, wealth, and above all – the modern lifestyle.
One such train was the Train Bleu, the nickname for the Calais-Méditerranée Express, a luxurious service launched in 1886. It connected the colder cities of the Atlantic coast in the North with the French Riviera. Named ‘The Blue Train’ after the colour of its wheels, it gained popularity in the 1920s and 30s, becoming the preferred mode of transport for contemporary celebrities.
It’s cultural impact reached far and wide. As well as the ballet, the famous train also featured in a number of books, including two by Agatha Christie, and had restaurants and shops named after it.
The lasting allure of The Blue Train can be attributed both to the journey itself, blending opulence and entertainment, as well as its glamourous destinations of the Côte d’Azur on the French Riviera.
It is hard to resist the charm of the French Riviera. Côte d’Azur, named after its bright blue waters, was one of the first modern resort areas, quickly rising to international prominence. Originally popularised by 19th-century upper classes (including Queen Victoria), the Riviera underwent a dramatic rebranding in the 1920s. From a winter refuge for the aristocracy, it became a vibrant summer destination for avant-garde artists, fashion icons, and cosmopolitan thinkers— crème de la crème of 20th century icons.
One of the most famous residents of Côte d’Azur was Pablo Picasso, who lived and worked in the south of France for most of his artistic career. Although known predominantly for his paintings, prints, and sculptures, Picasso has also designed a number of costumes and sets for stage productions. Le Train Bleu featured his work The Two Women Running along the Beach (The Race) – a playful front cloth, based on a painting, displayed on stage before the performance. The artwork, dubbed ‘the largest Picasso in the world’ will serve as the backdrop of English National Ballet’s performance of Le Train Bleu this month at the V&A East Storehouse in London.
Once the curtain was rolled up, the audience were treated to a visual spectacle of costumes designed by another famous visitor to the French Riviera – Coco Chanel. Beyond her fashion ventures, Chanel was a known patron of performing arts, offering both financial and artistic support. Her designs for Le Train Bleu—including striped tops, sleeveless sweaters, and jersey swimsuits—embodied a new aesthetic of freedom and athleticism which she observed during her time in the south of France.
Le Train Bleu was first staged in 1924 by Ballets Russes, a pioneering ballet company blending dance with contemporary art and design.
The light-hearted ballet captured the spirit of the interwar period and the fashionable lifestyles of the French Riviera elite. Set on the Côte d’Azur, the one-act ballet featured choreography by Bronislava Nijinska, score by Darius Milhaud, libretto by Jean Cocteau, and a front cloth by Pablo Picasso. The costumes were designed by Coco Chanel, marking one of the first major intersections between high fashion and theatrical costume design. The dancers, clad in chic sportswear — jerseys, bathing suits, and tennis skirts — performed scenes mimicking popular leisure activities like golf, sunbathing, and swimming. Rather than relying on a traditional narrative, the ballet unfolded as a series of stylized vignettes reflecting on the carefree modernity that defined the interwar period.
At its core, Le Train Bleu was a playful yet sincere depiction of the cultural shift toward physical vitality, speed, and modern life that took place in post-war Europe. The dancers’ bodies and energetic movements projected an ideal of athletic elegance, turning contemporary life into stylised spectacle.
Ultimately, Le Train Bleu was not just a ballet about a train or a destination, it was an expression of modern life with its glamour. The ballet captured the spirit of the 1920s, when art, fashion, and technological advances came to redefine luxury, leisure, and identity. Just as the blue train itself promised an escape to the freedom of French Riviera, the ballet offered a playful insight into the lives of the fashionable elite.