DISCOVER THE MOST AMAZING RAILWAYS IN FRANCE.
These lines can offer you outstanding views on some of the greatest landscapes in the country. You can hop on a train to take advantage of breathtaking sceneries that no boat, train, car or bike can reach.
Also, these old fashion railways, unique viaducts and amazing structures could be the set of your next production.
Côte d'Azur Line in the French Riviera
The French Riviera is worldwide known for being an area gathering outstanding creeks and beaches, charming villages and luxury resorts. Along the coast line, Côte d'Azur train brings you to enjoy fantastic views from your train wagon, as the train hugs the cliffs to one side while the sea washes up towards the tracks to the other.
Montenvers Line in Savoie
The Montenvers line links the city of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc to la Mer de Glace. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a typical savoyard city and renowned to be the highest city in France and in Europe. That is why it is considered to be the first step to Mont-Blanc summit. La Mer de Glace is France largest glacier and offer an gorgeous view on Mont-Blanc's valley. The traditional red train will bring you to this glacier after showing some of Savoie natural treasures: majestic mountains, fir forest and waterfalls.
Cévenol Line in Cévennes
This 19th century old line goes through a variety of natural landscapes including the spectacular Gorges de l’Allier and the peaceful Cévennes national park. The Cévennes region is an authentic and well preserved park. The area is geographically very isolated due to a steep relief and it took a lot of ingenuity and patience to create the Cévenol line. Nowadays is a mix of stone bridges and iron viaducts, the result making it one of most astonishing engineering accomplishments in the country.
Train Jaune in Pyrénées
This exceptional line located in Pyrénées mountains in the southwest of France is a must see set. Height above 1500 meters, le Train Jaune line offers a spectacular view on Pyrénées mountains, its isolated villages and hanging valleys. Pyrénées landscapes used to inspire a lot of artists thanks to its legendary waterfalls, small lakes, natural circus and gorges. The train itself is very original and has an open-top wagon which gives the passengers a wonderful panorama of the valleys.
Mastrou Line – Ardèche
This this authentic 120 year-old train, called Mastrou, allows you to go for a step back in time in Ardèche region. Its open carriage, pulled by an old-fashioned steam engine, takes you through the raw but beautiful Ardèche landscape as it crosses the Gorges du Doux before reaching the little town of Lamastre in the mountains. This iconic train can be the set for a very unique shooting with an outstanding background.
Hirondelles Line in Jura
Deemed one of France’s prettiest train journeys, Hirondelle line makes you discover the East of France, at the bottom of the Alpes along the swiss border. The tracks crossing 36 tunnels and 18 viaducts will offer you an incredible view on lush spruce forest, vineyards and valleys. The railway gives you the impression of sailing on a green sea where everything is calm and quietness, all in 2h30 and comfortably sat in one of the SNCF's modern TER trains.
Aubrac Line in Auvergne
Auvergne is known to be the land of asleep volcano. The line offers a unique view on beautiful landscapes, charming villages, and viaducts of bold architecture. The line used to run from Béziers to Paris via Clermont-Ferrand, but now trains only run between Clermont-Ferrand and Béziers. The entire journey takes a whopping 6h25, but in order to take the most of this amazing scenary, you can do sections of it, stoping in the beautiful countryside landscapes and the iconic Viaduc de Garabit, designed by Gustave Eiffel.
Interloire
This train links Orléans to Croisic several times a day and therefore serves as a perfect shuttle that cuts through the whole Loire Valley, passing through well-known cities such as Nantes and Angers. It also follows the Loire à Vélo path and, naturally, is a popular line for cyclists. In the summer, you’ll even find an extra wagon where cyclists can deposit their bike for free while they travel comfortably in a regular seat.
Nîmes – Le Grau du Roi
If you want to reach the stunning ‘petite Camargue’ and its beaches, the seaside resort of le Grau-du-Roi and Aigues-Mortes, then you should hop onto this historic train departing from Nîmes which will take only 50 minutes to get you to the lush sandy beaches. You’ll skip the busy traffic and endless queues and will see some of Camargue’s prettiest countryside.
Le Train de la Rhune (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
At the heart of one of the most famous mountains of French Basque Country, the Rhune traveling since 1924, takes the passengers through the sommit in around 30mins. After a wonderfull ride by the landscapes of the mountains, the Rhune offer to travelers the highlight: an amazing view over the Atlantic coast and Pyrenees from french and spanish side.
Le Train de la Baie de Somme (Somme)
At the beggining of the ride, from Saint-Valéry to Crotoy, the train follows one of the most beautiful bays of France, over the picardy coast, using the ancient railway of Bains de Mer, built in 1887. This travel dives the passenger into the splendid landscapes of the bay, taking back time thanks to its wagons of Belle Epoque, dated from 1889 and classed as Historical Monument. To extend the fantasy, it is also posible have dinner in the train under the gleam of a sunset all weekends from may to september.
Le Chemin de Fer du Haut-Quercy (Lot)
On board of this train, pulled by a tank engine, passengers can cross the Lot in an exceptional trip. More than 80 m from the ground, the Dordogne Valley offers itself to passengers, during the 13 km round trip that counts this route, notably with a wonderfull halt on a rocky terrace in Mirandolqui, which is worth going out of your way to see.
Côte d'Azur Line in the French Riviera
Aboard the train, life is set at the quiet rhythm of authentic steam locomotives of 30’s, that crisscross each summer the Valley of Vienna. Several circuits are proposed in the heart of the groves or the Gorges de la Vienne for a total change of scenery from Limoges, or Eymoutiers, to destinations with authentic charm such as the Châteauneuf Bulajeuf station, which since 1880 retains its vintage beauty.
Le Chemin de fer de la Vendée
In 2h30, the train that cross over the 22 km which separate the communes of Mortagne-sur-Sèvre to Herbiers, offers a real journey in time and nature, traveling by numerous viaducts that cross the 3 valleys. And for a total dive in the past, a car-restaurant "Orient-Express" of the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, welcomes during a meal concocted by a chef Meilleur Ouvrier de France, about forty guests for a trip as Gourmand as exotic.
Le Panoramique des Dômes (Puy-de-Dôme)
To discover this Grand Site of France, classified and protected, nothing like an electric train that takes its passengers at the top of Puy-de-Dôme in 15 minutes. The chain of Puys offers a dazzling panorama consisting of sleeping volcanoes all around. It is also the starting point of many marked trails and various activities for young and old travelers in a breathtaking scenery.
Le Train d’Artouste (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A stroll in the highest train in Europe is bound to be an adventure to live! Near the Spanish border, the Artouste train takes the passengers since 1932 to the mountainside to discover the extraordinary landscapes of this glacial valley, as well as the Pic du Midi d'Ossau, the emblematic summit of the Pyrenees, 2887m high. And in the middle of the fauna and the surrounding flora, the lucky ones will even be able to see a few marmots at just some meters away from the railway line.
La Vapeur du Trieux (Côtes d’Armor)
With an important railway heritage, the Côtes d'Armor department still has a network that resonates with the vapors of the past. This train, pulled by a steam locomotive from the beginning of the XX century, runs along the estuary of the Trieux of Paimpol in Pontrieux and allows the travelers to reach exceptional landscapes accessible only by train or boat. A visit with unique prints.