Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Touristic Train des Pignes (
Click here
)
services Nice.
ALONG THE MOUNTAIN RAILWAY
Zipping between mountains and sea, the narrow-gauge railway Train des Pignes (
Click here
)
is one of
Provence's most picturesque trips. Conceived in 1861 and inaugurated in 1911, the line was initially serviced by
steam locomotive: the vintage
Train Vapeur
still puffs a few stops around
Puget-Théniers
on Sundays from
spring to autumn. Normal-service cars resemble tramway coaches. The alpine views are breathtaking.
Rising to 1000m altitude, the 151km track passes through 50 tunnels, over 16 viaducts and 15 metal bridges
along its cliff-hugging journey to Digne-les-Bains, stopping at nearly 50 villages en route. The entire trip from
Nice to Digne-les-Bains takes 3¼ hours (€20 one-way). For a taste without overcommitting, consider a trip to
En-
trevaux
, 1½ hours from Nice (€10 one way): wander the village, hike or picnic, and return a couple of hours later.
Find updated schedules on the website of
Chemins de Fer de Provence
(
04 97 03 80 80;
Vallée de la Blanche
Big Alpine vistas begin at Vallée de la Blanche, 50km north of Digne, straddling above
Haute-Provence and Vallée de l'Ubaye. At 1350m, St-Jean-Montclar is famous for bottled
spring water (here it flows from the tap) and has a tiny family ski area, but it's better to
come in summer and hike. Cute-as-a-button
La Petite Bonnette
( 06 89 42 36 91, 04
92 31 84 95;
www.lapetitebonnette.com
;
col St-Jean, Montclar; r €60-65)
has B&B
rooms with knockout views.
Les Alisiers
( 04 92 35 34 80;
www.les-alisiers.fr
;
St-
Jean-Montclar; lunch/dinner menus €15/24;
Thu-Mon)
serves alpine comfort food and
rents studios.
