Since the early days of passenger cars, passenger comfort has come a long way. Until 1956, three classes coexisted in France. The third class was quite rudimentary, often with wooden benches. However, comfort increased over the years and the collective benches disappeared in favour of individual seats (photo). From the 1920s onwards, the seats were adapted to technological progress and design was introduced into the carriages. The best example of this is the Art Deco layout of the Orient-Express carriages, one of which is on display at the Cité du Train-Patrimoine SNCF in Mulhouse.