The little family train | Office de tourisme du Haut-Lignon – Découvrez des activités pleine nature et des hébergements insolites pour vos vacances

The morning

10 a.m.

We leave from Raucoules station or at 10:30 a.m. from Tence station. If the children are under 6, a departure from Tence will shorten the journey, but it will be better!
The journey begins before the train departs from Raucoules station, where we are immersed in the world of historic railroads for the first time, thanks to a small museum that puts us in the mood… The station sits amidst installations that have been frozen for over 80 years, in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of nature…

We can watchthe steam locomotives being heated for several hours toprepare for the journey. Which one will be on board? The Mallet 101, a listed historic monument, or the Corpet Louvet 22? Surprise!

We’ve settled into the vintage carriages, and now it’s time to discover a mountain railroad : we’re climbing slowly but surely. The Velay Express runs on a track that is rarely horizontal, but on an uneven profile with ramps climbed by the train over the 27 km of the route, totalling some 310 m (the height of the Eiffel Tower 😉 ).
We pass through forests of fir and spruce, numerous streams and meadows grazed by herds of cows. We see fortified houses (Châteaux Besset and Lambert), small heritage sites such as the mill buildings at Trifoulou and mills. Above all, we climb.

A long ramp takes us up above the Lignon gorges, through the beech trees known as Fayards in the local dialect, with the magnificent Mont Mézenc as a backdrop, to the Chambon/Lignon station.
The Lizieux jumps out at us as we watch the little prairie grasshoppers.

If you want to continue to St Agrève to reach the terminus, you’ll discover the panoramic views of the Vivarais Lignon plateau over Mont Mézenc and Mont gerbier de Jonc.
After the Tavas ramp, you’ll reach the highest point on the line: 1062m.

Arrive in the heart of the village of Le Chambon!

11h10 :

Leaving the station, head for Place de la Fontaine, a lively and bustling village on Wednesday and Sunday mornings, when the train runs.
A quick coffee at Place de la Fontaine is a must before shopping in the many shops and choosing a good table from among the 11 restaurants.

Lunch break

For lunch, the banks of the Lignon at La Plage are perfect for a picnic.

This follows a half-hour stroll along the Lignon on the Concordia trail.
We come across wild ducks, creek wagtails, and if we’re patient, maybe a fariot trout…

Another option:
Book a table at one of our Family Plus restaurants!

Family restaurants

In the afternoon

14h

Continue your walk through Jean’s wood, following the Concordia path back to the bottom of the village.
Don’t hesitate to visit the Moulin du Lignon with Mr. Jouve.

Places to visit along the way: Romanesque church, presbytery;

After the restaurant, we’ve got a bit of time left. Head for the Chemin du Pré de Graine, enter by the covered way, near Bois Lambert. You’ ll discover a beautiful architectural work in local wood by renowned artists: “A mi-bois”.
Free admission.

15h45

After this busy start to the afternoon, it’s time to catch the train back to Tence at 4:35 pm or to Raucoules at 5:15 pm. The journey on this train will have an even different meaning than on the outward journey.

16h40

Time for a snack
If you’re stopping in Tence, just a few steps from the station, stop at 39 rue d’Annonay, on the blue terrace of Café Claudette.
Or head down the main street to the Chambouvet délices tea room.
We’ll let you taste…

It's raining, don't panic!

14h00

The weather’s not cooperating, so this is your chance to visit the Lieu de Mémoire. Discover the area and its history during the Second World War.

The +An educational booklet for children will help them understand how hundreds of people found refuge here and in the surrounding area.
The Lieu de Mémoire team will be delighted to welcome families, whose duty to pass on information is so close to their hearts.

Discover the Place of Memory

Let yourself be inspired

For details and a map of the walk or visit.
You can find all these tips at our reception desks in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon and Tence.

I’m learning: In addition to coal, a locomotive needs water to run… The fire burning in the furnace is used to transform the water into steam which, by pressing on the pistons, turns the wheels of the engine.

How much water do you think it will consume all the way to St Agrève?