[3] The line is an important transport corridor, connecting the French and Italian Rivieras, and it is used by passenger (express, regional and suburban) and freight traffic.

It played a significant role in the economic development of the region, facilitating trade and tourism between France and Italy as the primary railway line serving the French Riviera (Côte d'Azur).

A new high-speed line, the LGV Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, is planned for opening around 2035 to offer quicker travel times between Marseille, Toulon, Cannes and Nice.

The line had to cross the rugged terrain of the Maritime Alps, which presented numerous challenges, such as steep gradients and tight curves.

The line's main stations are: Marseille-Saint-Charles, Marseille-Blancarde, Aubagne, La Ciotat, Toulon, Fréjus, Cannes, Juan-les-Pins, Antibes, Nice-Saint-Augustin, Nice-Ville, Nice-Riquier, Monaco-Monte-Carlo (underground), Menton and Ventimiglia.