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Les Plus Beaux Villages de France by tourist train

Escape on a tourist train through Les Plus Beaux Villages de France

Beyond the traditional railway lines operated by the SNCF, some regions have managed to preserve historic lines and are putting train travel back at the heart of the visitor experience. Whatever the destination, the journey itself and the scenery along the way are well worth the trip! Departing from some of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, you’ll have the chance to board some of these tourist trains (not to say ‘legendary’ ones). Don’t miss this opportunity!

On the Black Diamond Trail in Martel (Lot)

Martel (Lot) - © Dordogne Valley Tourist Office

On the border between Quercy and Limousin, Martel nurtures both its heritage and its terroir! This ancient medieval town, a stopping point for pilgrims on their way to Rocamadour, is listed among the ‘Sites Remarquables du Goût’ (as well as being one of the ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’!).
Among the local specialities not to be missed are walnuts and, above all, truffles, which enjoyed their heyday in the 19th century. Martel’s truffle market was then one of the largest in France, and a goods train used to transport the ‘black diamond’ all the way to Paris!
Today, the ‘Truffadou’ takes you back to that era on a one-hour journey along the cliff face, 80 metres above the Dordogne…!

Our top tips for your stay in Martel

  • image de l'activité Domaine Les Falaises

    Domaine Les Falaises

    Hôtel - restaurant
     Martel
  • image de l'activité Le train à vapeur de Martel - Le Truffadou

    Le train à vapeur de Martel - Le Truffadou

    Trains touristiques
     Martel
  • image de l'activité Relais Sainte-Anne

    Relais Sainte-Anne

    Meublés et Gîtes
     Martel
  • image de l'activité Reptiland

    Reptiland

    Vivarium - Aquarium
     Martel

Head for Villefranche-de-Conflent (Pyrénées-Orientales) and the Catalan region on board the Train Jaune

Villefranche-de-Conflent (Pyrénées-Orientales) - ©J.C. MILHET-OT Canigò Conflent

Opening up the Catalan Pyrenees: that was the ambition behind the Train Jaune when it was first conceived at the end of the 19th century. It took no fewer than 30 years for the line to be built and successfully brought into service in 1910.
Today, whilst it remains a means of transport for passengers, the Train Jaune has become a real tourist attraction for visitors keen to take their time (at 30 km per hour!) to explore the region via this original and eco-friendly mode of transport.
Listed among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France , Villefranche-de-Conflent is your starting or finishing point for your journey through the Pyrenees and Cerdagne!

From Sare (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) to the highest point in the Basque Country on the Rhune rack railway

Sare (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)

A few kilometres from the village of Sare , at the Col de Saint-Ignace, set off for the summit of the legendary Basque mountain: La Rhune ! An authentic rack-and-pinion railway dating from 1925 takes you there on a 35-minute journey through landscapes of forests, mountains and peat bogs, which you’ll have plenty of time to admire (at just 9 km per hour!).
Once at the summit, you’ll probably come across some sheep and a few pottoks – the wild ponies of the Basque Country – and enjoy a unique panoramic view of the French and Spanish coasts, as well as the Pyrenees mountain range.

Our top tips for your stay in Sare

Train holiday ideas – Discover our other suggestions in *Les Plus Beaux Villages de France*:

 

Header photo - ©Dominique VIET-OTVD