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Little train of artouste

On vacation in the Pyrenees? The Artouste train is an experience not to be missed. For your stay, don’t hesitate to book your pitch at the 3 star Beau Rivage campsite in Navarrenx, located in the heart of Béarn.

A whole story

Before the Great War, the Compagnie des chemins de fer du Midi had developed a project to build hydroelectric plants. The purpose of this program was to electrify the railroads in the Pyrenean network. A construction railway was laid in 1920 in the Ossau valley. The purpose of this measure was to facilitate the work that was being done to build the Artouste lake dam. From that time on, the Artouste train was used to transport both the men and the materials used for this colossal project.

An unforgettable excursion

The departure is at the level of the village of Fabrèges. The adventure starts from the Sagette cable car. It will take you to an altitude of nearly 2000 m. During this ascent, you will be able to admire the breathtaking view which is offered to you. Once you arrive, you will board the train: 10 km of tracks promise you a unique excursion. The train stops at the Lake station. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the lake of Artouste.

Practical information

During the high season (July 9 to August 28) there is a departure every 30 minutes, from 9am to 5pm. During the low season (May 26 to July 8 and August 29 to October 2), there is one train per hour, from 10am to 3pm. To have a successful experience, make sure you are at the bottom of the gondolas at least 45 minutes before boarding time. It is important to remember that this ride is not recommended for children under one year old. If you wish to board with your dog, please note that it must be kept on a leash.

There are 4 types of tickets:

  • Discovery ticket: it includes a 3.5-hour excursion, a 55-minute crossing and 1.5 hours of free time. Thanks to this formula, you benefit from free access for children.
  • Getaway ticket: By opting for this ticket, you must return on the last train.
  • One way ticket: It gives you access to the gondola and the outbound train. For this option, you must purchase your return ticket at the Gare du Lac since it is not available online.
  • Camper ticket: it gives you the possibility to return on D+1 or D+2. It is imperative to communicate at the boarding, the day of your return.

Advice

Please note that once you have purchased your tickets, you cannot get a refund. Also, a modification would generate additional costs. For example, if you want to change your schedule, you will have to pay 8 euros. However, this does not guarantee that your ticket can be used on the same day due to the large number of people. Similarly, the same surcharge applies if you wish to change your return time.

To avoid delays, be sure to print your tickets from your mailbox. You will have to show them at the time of the control. If you have purchased “child” tickets, please note that an ID will be required.

On vacation in the Pyrenees? The Artouste train is an experience not to be missed. For your stay, don’t hesitate to book your pitch at the 3 star Beau Rivage campsite in Navarrenx, located in the heart of Béarn.