There are many beautiful railway lines in France. Many of them are used only by local trains and tourist trains. I provide you a short list of the most beautiful railway lines in France.
The list does not include rack railways and funiculars. These railways were described in separate articles (link below the article)
Most beautiful railway lines in France
Ligne des Cévennes – the most famous scenic railway line in France. The 300-kilometer railway line connects Nimes and Clermont Ferrand. Built between 1864 and 1870, it is famous for its beautiful landscapes, impressive viaducts, river valleys and the extraordinary atmosphere typical of trains passing through small, sleepy towns and rural areas. Initially built for transporting wines. The most famous attraction on the route is the viaduct from 1865-1867 in Chamborigaud, approximately 400 meters long (various sources provide different data). Scheduled trains and the Gorges de L’Allier tourist train run on the route.
www.ligne-des.cevennes.com – official website
Grenoble area – the railway lines around Grenoble – a popular winter sports center – are also famous for beautiful views. The Grenoble – Briançon line is considered the most interesting, especially the Veynes – Grenoble section, where the trains passes through 26 tunnels, lots of bridges and galleries with breathtaking views. In Veynes you can see a small railway museum, but no rolling stock exhibition. The popular Le Petit Train de la Mure tourist train also runs in the region.
Ligne des Hirondelles – a very popular railway line in the Jura, connecting Dole and Saint-Claude. The length of the route is 123 kilometers, and trains cover distance in two and a half hours. Along the way, the train passes through 36 tunnels and 22 viaducts, the most impressive of which are in Morbier and Morez. Passengers can admire stunning landscape – forest, vineyards, gorges, steep slopes and valleys. The line was built for 56 years (1856-1912). Scheduled SNCF trains run on the route, and tourist trips are also organized, combined with visits to the largest attractions. Unfortunately, you can’t open the windows on the trains.
Le Train des Merveilles – translated as “The Train of Miracles”. the railway line from Nice to Tende, also world-famous scenic railway line. The route leads from Nice to the north, close to the border with Italy. The most interesting places along the way include the historic town of Breil-sur-Roya, where is located a small railway museum. In the picturesquely located Tende, it is worth seeing the Musée des Merveilles presenting the most interesting exhibits from the archaeological excavations of the region. Mountain railway with typical mountain landscapes and tunnels. The distance between the starting and ending stations is about 100 kilometers, of which 44 km in tunnels. There is the 81 tunnels of which 3 are spiral. The line was built in 1883-1928, badly damaged during the war, put back into use in 1979. The one-way journey takes approximately two hours.
Nice – Digne-les-Baines – the Nice – Digne-les-Baines railway line is also considered as one of the most beautiful railway lines in France. It is a narrow-gauge line with a rail gauge of 1000 mm. During the 151-kilometer journey, the train passes through sleepy villages, lavender fields, viaducts, tunnels, and from the windows you can admire the Provençal Alps. Scheduled trains and the Train des Pignes tourist train, composed of a steam locomotive and retro carriages, run on the route.
www.traindespignes.fr – official website
Le Train de la Côte bleue – the name of the train and the line connecting Marseille with Miramasi, running largely along the Bay of Marseille. The route is 60 kilometers long, of which 32 kilometers run along the sea. The train passes through 23 tunnels, 18 viaducts and 2 bridges. Regional trains run on the route; usually 14 trains a day in each direction. The line is famous for its beautiful sea views.
Ligne d’Auray à Quiberon (Train Tire-Bouchon) – a short railway line connecting the town of Auray with the Quiberon peninsula. Trains on this route run only in the summer season, from mid-June to mid-September. During the hour-long journey, the train windows offer beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean. Route length – 28 kilometers.
The most beautiful railway lines in France also include the mountain lines of the popular tourist trains “Train Jaune” and Petit Train d’Artouste.
Train de Jaune (Yellow Train) – a train that has been traversing the Pyrenees near the French-Spanish border for over 100 years. It runs from Villefranche de Conflent to Latour-de-Carol. It covers the 63-kilometer route in approximately 90 minutes. Along the way, it passes 19 tunnels, 2 bridges, one of which is a unique railway suspension bridge, and stops at the highest situated French railway station – Bolquère-Eyne (1,593 m above sea level). There is a variety of rolling stock on the route. From retro wagons, through historic electric multiple units, to the modern Z152 electric multiple unit.
There are 5 trains a day in each direction. Villefranche de Conflent can be reached by a regional train from Perpignan (50 km). Be prepared for long queues. The scenic railway line is a part of the French railways, so there is no problem with buying a ticket at ticket offices in the largest French cities.
Petit Train D’Artouste – a narrow-gauge railway running in the Pyrenees near the border with Spain. Famous for its unusual carriages and the views from the train. The train starts at Artouste-Fabrèges station, located 55 kilometers from the city of Pau. The total length of the line is approximately 10 kilometers and the journey takes almost an hour.
artouste.fr – official website
Related articles:
Train travel in France
Train travel in Corsica
Funiculars in France
Rack railways in France
Railways in Europe by country
