Tourism by rail

Holidays in France can call up images of picturesque trains wending their way through picture-book scenery with sea, land and mountains—Le Tire Bouchon, La Ligne des Hirondelles and the Mont Blanc Express. Built and maintained in partnership with their regions, these unique lines take you on a trip through history, even as they boost local economies, preserve regional traditions and promote eco-tourism. For your next holiday, explore one of these protected areas, which can only be reached by train. Choose from ten unforgettable journeys.

Touring trains by SNCF:

• 10 regional lines—some open all year round, others only in season—transport you into areas of unspoiled natural beauty and landscapes steeped in history.
• unique tours: Mont-Saint-Michel, the Vallée des Merveilles, Mont Blanc, viaducts straddling gorges on the Dôle-St Claude line, and Corsica’s Bastia-Ajaccio line, between the mountains and the sea.

On the Mont Saint-Michel line, live onboard performances bring local legends to life.

Experience the legends of Mont Saint Michel
(in French)

Choose the Allier line for a guided tour through the spectacular Gorges de L’Allier. There’s also a gourmet option—take the train gastronomique from Langogne to Pont d’Alleyras and savour a meal at chef Philippe Brun’s award-winning restaurant.

Give your taste buds a treat
(in French)

On the Hirondelles line, you’ll have an onboard guide, and views of the Jura from railway viaducts will take your breath away. Experience history at the Saline Royale d’Arc-et-Senans and visit the crafts market in Saint-Claude. Whether you’re looking for outdoor sports or fine food, you’ll find exactly what you want.

Explore the Jura
(in French)

The Côte Bleue TER takes you past 32 kilometres of coastline from Marseille to Miramas—home to the famous Mediterranean inlets called calanques. At each stop, your beach is just steps away. It’s a unique way to visit this protected area with its dazzling turquoise waters.

Explore Marseille’s calanques
(in French)

The Mont-Blanc Express carries you to the heart of the Mont-Blanc massif, a fabulous 80-minute trip with views of the famous Mer de Glace, Vallée Blanche and Aiguille du Midi. Trains run year-round on a single track metre-gauge line with gradients of up to 9%, built in 1908.

Take the Mont-Blanc Express
(in French)