Hike southern France by train along a fascinating Mountain Railway
France on Foot and by Rail is one of our eco-friendly walking holidays. A journey that sees you hiking near and riding on the Cevennes railway line, the Cévenol. This is your chance to enjoy stimulating hikes laced together by short train-rides. It is a fascinating criss-cross journey across valleys and over viaducts on the Cevennes train known as the "line of 100 tunnels."
When it comes to walking holidays France on foot and by rail is a special experience indeed. So climb aboard and enjoy a varied array of trails in three separate French departments. The experience will exceed your expectations and have you discussing it with your friends for years to come. The SNCF wanted to close this 'unprofitable' mountain railway, but we like to think our efforts were instrumental in winning a reprieve and keeping it open as a viable concern - so get cracking just in case they have a change of heart!
Fact File:
• Four-night walking holiday by rail, with arrivals any day from April to October inclusive.
• A flexible hiking tour, adaptable to those seeking either a light or moderate walking break.
• All-inclusive transport, starting and finishing in Ales.
Please click through the following points or scroll down the page. Alternatively, click the flyer image below to download and read the tour in pdf format.
a) Theme
b) Photos & Location
c) Model hiking tour: France on Foot and by Rail
d) Access
e) Accommodation
f) What's included
g) Prices
a) Theme
This is arguably one of our most eco-friendly walking holidays France has to offer, featuring the one and only 'Cévenol': a diesel train linking Nîmes to Clermont-Ferrand. For those of you that enjoy walking but want to get away from the car, there isn’t a better way to do it than take your walking holidays by rail. It’s a walking holiday of a lifetime, featuring tailored walks complemented by short train rides. Enjoy the picturesque scenery from your modern and comfortable SNCF seat, delight in the changing landscapes of Ardeche, Cevennes and Lozere, and get a sense of what you are about to experience upon arrival at your next destination.
Built over a century-and-a-half ago to facilitate the transport of wine and coal to Paris, the line bears testimony to man's engineering ingenuity as it wends its way up its course from Alès to Villefort to La Bastide, through innumerable tunnels and across some breathtaking viaducts.
France on Foot and by Rail is a unique opportunity to walk France by train. It brings you comfortable accommodation at each programmed stop, and memorable hikes that help you gain insight into the history and culture of the territory traversed by the Cévenol.
b) Further Information
• Read our articles entitled
The Cevennes: a Labyrinth of Hills and
The Cevenol Railway.
• For a seven-night eco-friendly opportunity to walk France by train, see Walking the Cevennes Railway.
• For other France hiking tours in Cevennes with different themes, see:
c) Model Programme: France on Foot and by Rail
Day 1. Arrival in Ales, Gateway to the Cevennes
Check in to centrally-located hotel with gourmet restaurant. Pre-hiking tour briefing.
Night in Ales.
Day 2. The Road to Pradelles.
15 kms- 10 miles.
You take the morning Cevenol to Langogne. Check in and enjoy an historic hike to the fascinating medieval fortified town of Pradelles.
Night in Langogne.
Day 3. Tour de l'Ardèche. Walk options from 6 kms-4 miles to
14 kms-9 miles.
Short morning train ride to La Bastide and hike to Notre Dame de Neige Abbey, celebrated for its liquor, or a section of the RL Stevenson trail.
Night in La Bastide.
Day 4. Lake Villefort. Walk options from 6 kms-4 miles to
14 kms-9 miles.
Short morning train ride to Villefort and enjoy a hike round the lake with optional extensions to Castanet castle or via the Mont Lozere trail.
Night in Villefort.
Day 5. End of your France walking holiday in France
Train to Ales train station after breakfast and post-hiking tour briefing before departure.
d) Access
You join this hiking break in Ales, with easy and convenient access by road, airport or railway station via Nimes.
From Montpellier airport, you take a taxi to the rail station for connections to Nimes and onward to Ales.Your train to Nimes takes 30 minutes. Please ask us for details.
Alternatively, for those wishing to bring their own car, there is also the option of leaving your car in Ales in an enclosed private parking space at owner's risk. Ask us for details.
e) Accommodation
You stay:
• One night in Ales
• One night in Villefort
• One night in Langogne
• One night in La Bastide
Your accommodation is:
• One 1-star hotel
• Three 2-star hotels
• All with en-suite facilities
• All family-run businesses
f)
What's included in France on Foot and by Rail Included
• 4 nights B & B in four different hotels
• 3 dinners and 2 picnic lunches
• All tickets on Le Cevenol train from Ales and back
• Collection from and return to stations en route where over 5 minutes walk away from hotel
• Pre- and Post-tour briefing and de-briefing in Ales
• Hiking Insight Notes™ that empower & make orientation easy
• Themed vacation dossier
• Comprehensive travel notes & logistical information
• Emergency telephone help-line service with local British backup
• Loan of mobile phone where required - subject to availability
• Option of leaving your car in Ales in an enclosed private parking space*.
* at owner's risk.
Not included
• Remaining meals - i.e., you are free to purchase dinner in Ales from a multitude of options to suit your taste and budget. There are also several options available on Day Two for lunch.
• Single rooms - unless booking at single traveller rate
• Travel and entrances to optional cultural visits and sightseeing programme
• Travel, Walking and personal insurance
• Personal expenses
g)
Prices 2010: France on Foot and by Rail Price per person based on 2 sharing: £435.00 or €470.00
Single person rate: £570.00 or €630.00
For more fine photos of Le Cevenol Railway, please visit Edouard Paris' site
See our range of walking breaks in France