Sometimes all it takes is switching trains to feel like you've traveled back in time. From Estivareilles station in the Loire, the Haut-Forez Tourist Train offers an original getaway in the heart of the Livradois-Forez Regional Natural Park, among forests, valleys, and wide-open spaces. From Lyon, the adventure is just a reasonable 1.5-hour drive away via the A47 and A72, before reaching the Firminy and Saint-Bonnet-le-Château area. A manageable distance that lets you set off in the morning and make the most of a day surrounded by nature, far from the noise and concrete of Lyon.
42 kilometers aboard a 1950s railcar
The historic line connects Estivareilles to La Chaise-Dieu over roughly 42 kilometers, with a route that gradually climbs to over 1,000 meters in altitude. A lovely way to discover the Haut-Forez landscapes without having to lace up your hiking boots right away. The train is operated by volunteers from the
the Upper Forez Railway Association, which maintains and brings this historic railway line back to life.
© Chemin de Fer du Haut-Forez
On board the historic rail cars, particularly the famous Picasso or the Caravelles, the journey inevitably takes on a little taste of Proust's madeleine. Through the large windows, the scenery unfolds slowly between pine trees, pine forests, clearings and preserved valleys. Here, no need for a relaxing playlist: the engine's purr and the landscape do the job perfectly.
The Pontempeyrat viaduct, a highlight of the journey
Among the most spectacular passages of the route, the Pontempeyrat viaduct clearly deserves to keep your eyes wide open. The structure overlooks the Ance and offers an impressive viewpoint over the surrounding terrain. The train above all crosses quite an unusual geographical location since it finds itself at the meeting point of three departments: the Loire, theHaute-Loire and Puy-de-Dôme. A little detail to proudly tell everyone about when you get back, just to prove that this getaway wasn't just an excuse to hop aboard a vintage train.
© Vuthéara
An getaway tailored to your desires
One of the highlights of the Haut-Forez Tourist Train is that it offers multiple ways to enjoy the journey. Stops at Usson-en-Forez, Craponne-sur-Arzon, Jullianges, and Sembadel make it easy to turn the trip into a full day of exploration. Getting off at La Chaise-Dieu, heritage enthusiasts will be able to discover its impressive Gothic abbey, renowned for its Dance of Death and its music festival.
Families and nature lovers can opt for Usson-en-Forez for a walk, picnic, or break by its lake. Just 1.5 hours from Lyon, the Haut-Forez Tourist Train ultimately delivers what the best getaways do best: take you far away without actually going very far.