Steam Spectacular In France

Traveling by Eurostar from London's St Pancras Station thru the Channel to Lille, then on-wards to Amiens. and our hotel for four nights, the Holiday Inn, where we check in and enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings with our first evening at leisure. Upon arrival in Amiens hotel check-in at the 3 star Holiday Inn for 4 nights.

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This morning, we travel by rail to Noyelles for our full day aboard the meter-gauge Baie de Somme Railway. We experience a ride behind steam to the historical town of Saint-Valery where we have some time at leisure to explore and take lunch before we journey to the opposite end of the line to the seaside town of Le Crotoy. On our return to Noyelles, there will be an opportunity to photograph the double departure of the two engines in action today before we return by rail to Amiens.

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the Baie de Somme Railway in Northern France -
next 6 photos

Today, we travel to the Froissy Steam Festival with additional locomotives in action on an intensive service plus diesel and freight trains, a demonstration run of a WW1 military train, and model exhibitions. We ride behind steam over the full length of the line featuring a curved tunnel, switchbacks, a dramatic zigzag section, roadside running, and long stretches alongside the Somme Canal. Every mile reveals another fascinating glimpse into the railway's wartime history. We enjoy our lunch together in the museum where we can view their unique collection before returning by coach to Amiens driving through the Somme battlefields and visiting the vast and poignant Thiepval Memorial along the way. There are around 35 steam and diesel locomotives at this museum.

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The next Seven Photos Are At The Froissy Steam Festival

After breakfast, we travel by road to Crevecoeur and the meter-gauge railway created by the Museum of Franch Steam Tramways and Secondary Railways (MTVS) for an exclusive steam charter aboard their historic train journeying to Rotangy and, on our return, we visit the locomotive depot to learn more about the railway's collection and restoration work. Afterwards, we continue to Chanteraines Park for another exclusive charter over their narrow-gauge line winding its way around the park before viewing their extensive collection of steam and diesel locomotives.

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Museum of Franch Steam Tramways and Secondary Railways
between Crevecoeur and Rotangy - next 5 photos

We bid farewell to Amiens and Northern France and travel by train to Valence and check-in at the 4 star Hotel de France for 3 nights. Free time in the afternoon and evening at leisure to explore our new surroundings.

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After breakfast this morning, we will travel by road to Tournon Saint-Jean to experience the historic Vivarais Railway, an 18-mile meter-gauge line using powerful 0-6-6-0T Mallet steam locomotives to haul the train through the spectacular Doux Gorges. A water stop is made at the village of Boucier-le-Roi before continuing through open countryside passing charming villages, chestnut groves, and orchards. After climbing nearly 1,000 feet, we will arrive at the small town of Lamastre, where we will watch the locomotive turn on its turntable and enjoy our lunch at a nearby restaurant, before returning by steam to Tournon and by coach to our hotel.

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The Next 13 Photos Are Of The Spectacular Vivarais Railway
In The Doux Gorges With 0-6-6-0t Mallets And Railcars

Today, after breakfast, we travel by private coach to Anduze for the remarkable Cévennes Steam Train to Saint-Jean-du-Gard. Winding through tunnels and along viaducts, our journey allows us to discover the valleys of the Gardon and their superb views. We will enjoy lunch together in the station at Saint-Jean-du-Gard before retracing our steps to Anduze and returning to Valence.

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the railroad between Cévennes and Saint-Jean-du-Gard - next 2 photos

After breakfast this morning, we will depart by rail over the old 'classique' route to Marseille, changing here for our relaxing and scenic train journey along the beautiful Mediterranean coast to Nice, arriving early in the afternoon. We have the remainder of the day at leisure to explore this elegant city, famous for its sunny climate, gorgeous beaches, and colorful architecture staying for three nights at the 3 star Hotel Khla near the railway station.

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Beautiful scenery on the train between Marseill and Nice running along
the Mediterranean coast

Today, we experience a spectacular two-hour rail journey on one of France's most scenic railways aboard the aptly named 'Train des Merveilles' (Train of Wonders) journeying through untouched scenery dotted with tunnels, viaducts, and beautiful little alpine villages to Tende. This medieval village, set at 2,600 feet above sea level, is in the heart of the Mercantour National Park which houses the largest collection of open-air petroglyphs in Europe. After our lunch together at a local restaurant and some free time to explore, we complete the return journey to Nice for an evening at leisure.

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the Train des Merveilles' (Train of Wonders) - next 5 photos

Today, we depart the meter gauge Chemins de Fer de Provence railway station on a railcar through the dramatic Var Gorge to Puget-Théniers. Here, we will board the steam-hauled 'Train des Pignes' for an historic ride through the beautiful Provence countryside and vast pine forests, passing the charming, fortified city of Entrevaux, and onwards to the village of Annot. On arrival, we will enjoy lunch together and time at leisure to discover the architectural treasures of this medieval village before retracing our steps to Nice for an evening at leisure.

🍽 breakfast, lunch

the steam pulled Train des Pignes in the Le Chaudan Gorge - next 2 photos

We bid farewell to Nice and to France, returning by rail to Lille, where we will join the Eurostar service to London's St Pancras Station and end of our tour.

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