train-artouste

These 7 Heritage Trains Take You Back in Time Around Bordeaux

undefined undefined 3 septembre 2026 undefined 18h00

The Editor

Steam train, rack railway, or century-old locomotive… Less than 3 hours from Bordeaux, several historic rail lines invite you to slow down the pace and rediscover the landscapes of the Southwest in a whole new way. Here are 7 railway getaways that are absolutely worth the detour.

You don't need to travel across all of France to experience a journey straight out of another century. Between Gironde, Charente-Maritime, Dordogne, Lot, the Basque Country and the Pyrenees, several tourist railways preserve French railway heritage. Steam locomotives, period coaches and spectacular views : these lines offer far more than just a simple ride.

The Train de la Rhune, the legendary rack railway of the Basque Country

It's impossible to talk about the most beautiful tourist trains in the Southwest without mentioning the Train de la Rhune. Put into service in 1924, this rack railway climbs to the summit of La Rhune (905 m) thanks to its authentic wooden coaches. In around thirty minutes, it offers exceptional panoramas over the Basque Country, the Pyrenees and the Atlantic Ocean.


Sare (64)

The Mouettes Train, a steam journey between land and ocean

Between La Tremblade and Saujon, the Mouettes Train revives the golden age of rail on a historic line that opened in the 19th century. Pulled by heritage steam locomotives, it winds through marshes, villages and Charente-Maritime landscapes across nearly 21 kilometers.


Charente-Maritime

The Yellow Train, an institution of railway tourism

Nicknamed the Canary because of its yellow and red color, the Yellow Train has been running since 1910 between Villefranche-de-Conflent and Latour-de-Carol, in the Eastern Pyrenees. Spanning 63 km, it crosses numerous engineering feats, including the famous Gisclard bridge, France's only hanging railway bridge still in service, and offers spectacular views of the Catalan mountains.


Eastern Pyrenees

La Vapeur du Quercy, a century-old locomotive still in service

Head over to the Lot, where the Quercyrail association runs genuine steam locomotives between Martel and Saint-Denis-lès-Martel. The route is famous for its spectacular passage along the Mirandol cliff, overlooking the Dordogne valley.


Charente-Maritime

The Little Train of Saint-Trojan, Between Forest and Wild Beaches

On the island of Oléron, this charming little train takes travelers deep into the state forest and all the way to the beaches of Maumusson. The journey winds through dunes, pine groves and ocean in a beautifully preserved setting that families absolutely love.


Oleron Island

The Limousin Tourist Train, aboard a historic rail car

Departing from Limoges, this tourist train invites you to discover the Limousin countryside aboard restored historic rail cars and carriages. Special journeys are organized throughout the year, mainly on weekends or during events, rather than as a daily service. In Bordeaux, you can see it as part of the Soulac 1900 festival.


Haute-Vienne

The Little Train of Artouste, one of Europe's highest trains

Perched at over 2,000 meters in altitude, the Artouste Train is considered one of Europe's highest tourist trains. Originally built for a hydroelectric project, it winds through the heart of the Pyrenees today with spectacular views of the lakes and mountain peaks.


Ossau Valley (64)