The
Mistral began its existence in 1950 as a mostly
steam locomotive-hauled
Rapide (
express train) between
Paris-Gare de Lyon and
Marseille-Saint-Charles. Two years later, in 1952, its route was extended to
Nice-Ville. By 1965, when it was integrated into the
Trans Europ Express (TEE) system, it had become completely electric locomotive-hauled. The train also had two restaurant cars; the
Wagons-Lits Company provided the on-board catering. In 1975, a writer for
Fodor's called
Le Mistral "perhaps the most luxurious train in Europe". The train's final day as a TEE was 26 September 1981, as the next day saw the introduction of the first
TGV service in France, in that
same corridor, and the downgrading of
Le Mistral to a two-class "Rapide" train, albeit continuing to use the same first-class coaches for the train's first-class section.
Le Mistral was discontinued entirely in 1982, after being replaced by TGV service. ==Speed==