Innovative tourism products

A first in France

It was in March 1998 that, for the first time in France, the Chemins de Fer de Provence produced a tourism guide entitled L'échappée belle en Provence (Great Escapes in Provence). The aim of this original initiative was to promote the cultural and tourism heritage of the 30 villages situated along the railway line between Nice and Digne-les-Bains.

This guide is not only for tourists visiting the Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence départements but also for the people living in the region to invite them to 'escape' to explore the villages in the mountains here.

Special trains

A service that runs every Sunday from May to October, the new steam Train des Pignes runs on the line from Puget-Théniers to Annot. Boarding is at 10 a.m., but the driver lights the fire on board the 1909 locomotive (listed as a historical monument) at 5 in the morning. It takes a while to bring six tonnes of water to the boil! The charm of the carriages with their varnished-wood seats dating from 1892 treats the passengers to a trip back in time in lovely surroundings.
Day excursions are also organised throughout the year from Nice to Touët sur Var, Villars sur Var, Puget-Théniers, Puget-Rostang, Entrevaux, Annot, Le Fugeret, Saint-André-les-Alpes and Digne-Les-Bains.
The "Snow Train", service provides transport for snowsports fans during the winter season (train plus coach) .
Trains from Alpes de Haute-Provence to the Nice Carnival and Nice Fair.