A Captivating Journey from Milan to Paris - Whisked Away on the InOui

Milan - fashion capital, home to the majestic Duomo, and where an Italian coffee could possibly change your life. But, as much as I adore sipping a perfectly foamed cappuccino in the shadow of Italian history, there's a certain thrill that comes with the idea of leaving one iconic city for another.

On a lonely day in the middle of a short pause between Milan and Paris fashion week, I embarked on a journey from Milan to Paris aboard the InOui, a high-speed train that carried me through rolling hills, alpine valleys, and the French countryside with grace and comfort… No interruptions. At least, that's what the ticket said.

The Departure: Milano Porta Garibaldi

Milano Porta Garibaldi is where the magic begins. Though it plays second fiddle to Milano Centrale's bombastic grandeur, Porta Garibaldi has its own metropolitan center feel. Here, the InOui awaits its sleek, aerodynamic design whispering promises of high-speed indulgence.

As I settle into my plush seat (because, darling, if you're doing Milan to Paris, you simply must do it in comfort), I watch as the city's glittering towers fade into the distance. Soon enough, we're gliding into the countryside, and I feel the first sigh of relief: the world outside is slowing down, but we are not.

Torino Porta Susa: A Quick Italian Soiree

Our first stop is the sleek Torino Porta Susa, a very impressive modern tube-like structure stretching over 1,200 feet. It's a modern gateway for a city on the move. Turin's Porta Susa was designed by Italian architect Silvio d'Ascia.

He had a vision to bridge the gap between the two halves of the city that had long been separated by the railway. Highlights of the design include a glass-vaulted concourse. The station nods to classic iron-and-glass terminals and the grand commercial galleries often associated with the northern part of the country. It is similar to what you'll see in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II but with a totally modern twist.

Porta Susa is the star of a huge urban renewal project called the "Spina" (Italian for "spine"). While we didn't linger long, I can't help but admire the modernity of the station as passengers shuffle in, bringing with them that ineffable Italian sprezzatura!

With a jolt (the chic kind, not the disruptive kind, mind you), we're off again, picking up speed and winding through the lush northern Italian landscape. Soon, the flat plains give way to something far more dramatic: the towering Alps.

Oulx: The Alpine Charm

Oulx is where you want to press your face against the window like a child peering into a candy shop. The Alpine views are chef's kiss—snow-capped peaks rising majestically above verdant valleys, dotted with tiny villages that look like they were designed for a Christmas card. It's the perfect point to listen to Divenire by Ludovico Einaudi and revel in the romance of the moment.

This is the Italy-to-France magic moment, where the air feels fresher, the mountains taller, your eyes brighter…Bravo, Schengen zone!

The Mountains Move Me

In Oulx, Seemingly out of nowhere, I received a tap on the shoulder. A train attendant turns and says to me in a thick Italian accent, "The train is stopped due to a landslide, you must step off the train, please, and wait for the bus to take you to the next station."

Oh dear, I think to myself, this was certainly unexpected…I spoke to the other passengers, and thankfully, two gentlemen were from the UK and happy to help. As it would turn out, I had 45 minutes until the bus departed.

"Well, when life gives you lemons..." I mused and set off to find the nearest restaurant and bar. But as I turned the corner, the sight before me stopped me in my tracks. A breathtaking snow-capped mountain rose majestically at the end of a street lined with charming old-world buildings. The crisp Alpine air filled my lungs, and as if on cue, delicate snowflakes began to drift down, turning the scene into something straight out of a winter postcard. It was pure magic.

After an hour-long bus ride through the mountains that almost seemed to transport me through time, we arrived at the next stop along this glorious Voyage a Paris.

St-Jean-de-Maurienne: Welcome to France, Darling

Suddenly, voilà! We're in France, and the signs have swapped from Italian to French, which somehow makes everything seem a touch more elegant and seductive. St-Jean-de-Maurienne is a lovely little town tucked into the mountains, the kind of place where you can imagine escaping to write your debut novel or, perhaps, just hide away for a summer affair.

While I don't disembark, the station itself looks like the kind of idyllic spot where you'd expect to find a Michelin-starred bistro hidden behind an unassuming door.

Back on the train to Chambéry Challes-les-Eaux: A Royal Pause

Now, Chambéry. Ah, Chambéry! You know you've officially crossed into French territory when even the air feels more chic. This town has regal air, thanks to its history as the seat of the Dukes of Savoy. Chambéry's station, with its grand arch, feels like a nod to a time when train travel was the height of sophistication—and here, it still is.

At this point, I'm tempted to daydream about my future French chateau—surely it's just around the bend—while snacking on a flaky croissant that tastes suspiciously more Parisian the closer we get to the City of Light.

Mâcon-Loché TGV: Wine Country Whispers

Our next stop is Mâcon-Loché TGV, smack dab in the heart of Burgundy, home to some of the finest wine in the world. I can practically taste the crisp chardonnays and velvety pinot noirs as we glide through. If I weren't on a mission to reach Paris, I'd seriously consider hopping off here and letting a local vintner adopt me for the afternoon.

But alas, Paris calls, and as much as I love a good wine-soaked detour, there's something magnetic about the French capital that pulls you closer, faster.

The Finale: Paris Gare de Lyon

And then, in what feels like the most graceful crescendo, we arrive at Paris Gare de Lyon. The station, with its Beaux-Arts architecture and iconic clock tower, is an elegant welcome to the city that knows how to do everything with a certain *je ne sais quoi*. As I step off the train and into the golden glow of Paris, I realize that while this journey may have taken just over seven hours, it felt like the perfect blend of modern convenience and old-world romance.

From Milan's avant-garde glamour to the effortless elegance of Paris, this journey aboard the InOui was an escape through some of Europe's most beautiful landscapes. I arrive feeling as though I've been swept along by some invisible thread —a rare treat in the fast-paced world of travel.

Now, off to find a perfect café in Paris. After all, no journey truly ends until you've found the perfect croissant. It might not be a cappuccino, but it could definitely change your life. À bientôt!