Train de l’Ardèche & Vélorail: Ride and Pedal the Rails

Looking for a train ride in France that’s a little different? Consider a ride on the Train de l’Ardèche along with a Vélorail des Gorges du Doux!  It’s not just an ordinary Point A to Point B journey, but rather a ride on the tourist train through the beautiful Doux Gorges with the added activity on a rail bike—-with you doing the peddling on train tracks!

If you’re in the region, I highly recommend these two activities. It is a wonderful day’s outing. [Be sure to check out the video later in this post showing you my Vélorail experience!]

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1. Train de l’Ardèche + Vélorail des Gorges du Doux

Initially I was just interested in riding a steam train (Train de l’Ardèche) to see more of the area SW of Lyon. When you look at the Train de l’Ardèche offerings, there are three activities from the St. Jean de Muzols train station:

• Train ride through the Doux gorges (1 hour 30 minutes): 18 € 
• Train ride through the Doux gorges and up the valley to Lamasstre (full day): 27 € return
• Train ride and bike ride (Train à Vapeur + Vélorail): train ride to Boucieu-le-Roi, rail bike, and a train ride back to St. Jean de Muzols: 45 € 

So when I saw that I could do a train ride AND peddle on the rails, I chose the third option!

Note: Not everyone does the Train de l’Ardeche from Saint-Jean-de-Muzols to Boucieu-le-Rois PLUS the bike ride. Some just drive to Boucieu-le-Roi and book the bike rail/vélorail activity separately. This is possible too. I just liked combining the two activities. 

Location: Train de l’Ardèche, 111 Rte du Grand Pont, 07300 Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, France

3. My Ride: The Chestnut Adventure + Other Route Options

I booked the train + vélorail route called the Parlour’s des Châtaigneirs (Chestnut Adventure ride). The rail bike portion of the activity was 8km long and the price of the combined train and bike was 45 €. 

There are longer bike journeys, where you’d book your train and bike activity separately. The longest one is only available in August:

• the 12 km Parcours des Étroits (Narrow Pass adventure): 24 € (plus the cost of the train ride if you need
• the 20 km La Grande Aventure (Great Adventure) that combines the Chestnut ride and Narrow Pass ride: 42 € 

4. My Vélorail Experience In France

Check out the video of what it’s like to ride on the train and vélorail (click on this link or the image): 
Train de l’Ardèche & Vélorail Ride | My Chestnut Adventure in France

When I checked in, I was asked if I wanted to do the ride by myself, with no one else helping me peddle. When I learned the rail bike weighs 250 kg, I was hesitant; however, the ticket agent said I’d have no problem when I told her I was a runner. [Skeptical!]

I had a blast riding the vélorail! The journey lasted just over 1 hour and although I was the only one peddling, it was really easy…..thanks to the downward force of gravity!

The route was downhill so I don’t think it mattered that I was a runner! The starting point is at an altitude of 345m and your arrival in Boucieu-le-Roi is at 276m. Sometimes I didn’t even need to peddle due to the slope of the tracks. 

You don’t go too fast on the rails and the scenery is what you would have passed heading up to the start—-panoramic views as you go over and past bridges, gorges, farmland, cottages, and along a river. It was very scenic and you are pretty much alone on the tracks as the cars are staggered by a few minutes. 

I only had to use the two brakes a few times (ie. reaching the end where we’re all lining up behind one another.)

While the seats are hard plastic and do not have seat belts, but they weren’t uncomfortable. There aren’t any water bottle holders or shelves to set your personal items. I put my knapsack under the seats behind me.

5. My Chestnut Adventure Itinerary

This is the full schedule from departure to the final ride back.

• 10:15-Train de l’Ardèche leaves Saint-Jean-de-Muzols train station
• 45 minute journey: through the Doux gorges, often along the river Doux.  There were lots of bridges, a tunnel, forested areas and farmland. We were not in an open carriage, so there was no fear of getting soot on our clothes. 
• 11:00-arrived at the Boucieu-le-Roi train station: there is a restaurant there but many people walk up the hill to the village. There is another restaurant on the way to and in the village. Boucieu-le-Roi is one to the designated “Villages of Character” and although very quiet, I enjoyed wandering around this village which had colourful “objets d’art” everywhere. I ended up having lunch back at the restaurant by the train station.
• 1:10-checked in to get assigned a car and sign a waiver. A car typically has 5 seats: 2 people peddling and three “passengers” in the back seats. Children weighing less than 9kg are not allowed. Car seats can be fitted for children over 9 kg. Children must also be at least 1.40 metres tall.
• 1:45- departed in an open air train carriage (with the velorail bikes attached behind it) to the starting point. Upon arrival, we got on our respective velobikes. All instructions were in French but it was easy to understand what one needed to do. 
• 2:30-Just before we were to depart there was a thunderstorm and those of us who didn’t bring raincoats got soaked! But the downpour only lasted 15 minutes and as we rode, the sun came out and dried us out! The journey on the rail bike  lasted about an hour.
• 3:30-Arrived back at Boucieu-le-Roi.
• 4:15-Departed Boucieu-le-Roi for Saint-Jean-de-Muzols by train.
• 5:00-Returned to Saint-Jean-de-Muzols train station. Do spend a little time at the free museum on site. It has an interesting display about the history of the trains as well as artifacts such as a 1903 luxury carriage No. 1005, which had a toilet on board. Information is available in French and English.

6. Tips If You Want To Do The Train de l’Ardèche and/or Vélorail

(a) Where should you stay?

The two closest cities to the Train de l’Ardèche are Tournon-sur-Rhône and Tain-l’Hermitage. I stayed in Tain-l’Hermitage and I loved the location and certainly my hotel, Hotel Les 2 Coteaux. I’ll have more about the hotel and my stay in an upcoming Trip #40 report.

It was only a 13 minute drive to the train station. Be careful. The train station is located OUTSIDE of Saint-Jean-de-Muzols,  NOT located in the centre of this town. [Just follow Google Maps to “Train de l’Ardèche].

(b) What Shoud You Bring On The Train/Vélorail

If there’s any chance of rain, bring a raincoat. Also bring a hat, water, wear running or walking shoes, and sunscreen. The activity will proceed even in the rain. You could bring a picnic lunch or buy your lunch when you’re in Boucieu-le-Roi.

(c) Buying Tickets For The Vélorail

I purchased my tickets 3 months before my journey. The combined train and vélorail cost 45€ and buy the time I arrived, all tickets were sold out.

• The website to purchase a Train de l’Ardèche train ticket or Train and Vélobike combination (Train de l’Ardèche + Vélorail): www.trainardeche.fr
• The website to purchase just the rail bike tickets is: www.velorailardeche.com

7. Visiting The Ardèche

This was my second visit to the Ardèche department of southeast France. I had visited this area a few years ago. It’s well known for its outdoor scenery and activities. You can read about my experiences here:

8. Unique Train Rides In France

If you’re interested in other train rides in France, you might consider these two unique trains I have taken in the past:

This activity was just one of many unique experiences I had during my 40th trip to France. For more information about that trip, check out this page:
Trip #40 To France: Lyon, Ardèche, Paris & More

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