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The Gorges du Verdon are a dream holiday destination for fans of water-based activities. But what people sometimes forget is that this region is also crossed by a just-as-entertaining “land” attraction: the famous Train des Pignes. One section of this railway line is located just a few kilometres from the L’Oasis du Verdon campsite. Hop aboard this century-old steam locomotive and enjoy a one-of-a-kind adventure!
Although the idea of a railway line connecting Digne to Nice emerged in 1861, the first section of the Chemins de Fer de Provence railway was not built until 30 years later. It then took until 1911 for the full line to be completed. Despite several interruptions to service after the damage caused during World War II, the train always managed to bounce back and reclaim its place in the hearts of the people of Provence. Today, it has been operating daily for 110 years, travelling a 150-kilometre route that links the Mediterranean coast to the Alps!
Many myths surround the name of this century-old train. Some believe the nickname comes from the fact that the train was originally so slow that passengers could hop off to pick up pine cones (“pigne” in Provençal). Others tell a legend in which, one evening, the locomotive ran out of coal but managed to start again thanks to pine cones that supposedly fell into the tender. More pragmatic minds simply say the name comes from the type of trees that line the railway tracks.
Boarding this locomotive is a real journey through time, but also through space! Along the way, you’ll pass through several villages, including:
Lastly, boredom is rarely part of the experience, as different themes highlight the journey depending on the season and partnerships. You might find yourself on the Music Train, the Olive Train, or even the Halloween Train.
The L’Oasis du Verdon campsite is located just 14 minutes from the Train des Pignes railway line.
This little train runs four return trips per day between Nice and Digne-les-Bains. In addition to these two stations, it also stops at: Plan du Var, Puget-Théniers, Entrevaux, Annot, Thorame-Haute, and St-André-les-Alpes.
Departure times from Digne-les-Bains to Nice are: 7:15am, 10:45am, 2:25pm, and 5:35pm. In the opposite direction, trains depart at 6:55am, 9:25am, 1:05pm, and 5:15pm. Ticket prices naturally vary depending on the route. However, there are discounted fares for families and groups. Children under 4 travel for free, but they must sit on the accompanying adult’s lap.
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