Has anyone traveled on the night train (first class sleeper) from Venice to Paris in the past year? This is my big splurge of a forthcoming trip, as I like going to bed in a train. Just curious whether it's at all luxurious, or is it just an ordinary train with lots of sleeping cars? I know it leaves Venice S Lucia at 8 pm and arrives in Paris at 8 am the next morning. I think a continental breakfast is brought to the compartment early in the morning, but not sure about this.

I've been standard class and you got a croissant and tea or fruit juice brought to the compartment, so I should think in 1st there will definitely be a bite to eat.

The lower bunk is quite uncomfortable. If you have choice - ie if you're not in a single - ask for the upper bunk.

Thanks. I think I'll have a pvt compartment, which means there will only be a bottom!

The train has sleepers, couchettes and a restaurant car, but no ordinary seating carriages.
The sleeping cars are neither first nor second class; the fare depends on the number of berths in the compartment which can be arranged to have one, two or three berths. The compartments have wash basins, but toilets are at the end of the carriage.
I used the train last month and we were given a bottle of mineral water in the evening, and a coffee and croissant in the morning. The restaurant car serves dinner and breakfast which are not included in the fare.

<which means there will only be a bottom!>

but even in a private compartment, there are two bunk beds, right?

i did this trip, but not within the past year. it was not luxurious more as you say "an ordinary train wtih lots of sleeping cars". but i thought it was fun.

I am doing the overnight and found a pdf on the train which might give you some details - sure helped me. Let me know if it will not work and I will try to send it to you another way. Good luck. We are doing 3 overnights but this will be the longest one. We travel by train in the Us and love it - hope you do to. I always figure that it is a hotel and a train trip so it is quite reasonable.
http://www.eurorailways.com/kb/broch...taly_night.pdf

Very informative, thank you!
Logan