HISTORICAL TRAIN - CANYONS & VIADUCTS - WILD NATURE - MEDIEVAL VILLAGES - BAROQUE ART

A unique Train Experience across the Alps to discover an historical French-Italian mountain railway, you will by fascinated by its natural trails, its breathtaking views on the villages, narrow canyons, impressive viaducts and tunnels, testimony of the very talented French civil engineering of the beginning of the 20th century. Our guide will comment you villages, landscapes and history of this mountain trainline during this two-hour experience in one of the most amazing of France. On top of this, spend a day visiting authentic medieval villages & the Salt Roads & the Royal Baroque Route: full of history and legends & a unique baroque heritage strew with unique and unknown chapels, churches and monasteries.

You spend your holidays on the French Riviera or you live there and you are looking for alternatives to get away from the hustle and bustle of the coast & the overly touristic cities like Cannes or Monaco? An unusual day to take a deep breath of fresh air & discover the Alps: the Royal Baroque Route and the Salt Roads is made for you! Anywhere else you can go from the mediterranean sea to the highest peaks in 2 hours by train.

Let's start the day early in the morning to fully enjoy from Nice, where the Train des Merveilles will amaze you with its route, its breathtaking views of the villages, through canyons, viaducts and impressive tunnels, witnesses of the French civil engineering of the early 20th century. 2 hours of unique experience commented on board by our accredited Guide Lecturer through one of the most incredible trainlines in France.

Then, we will go from village to village according to your desires and interests : Saorge, Tende, La Brigue (and many others) will no longer be a secret and you will enjoy the clean, fresh and invigorating air of the Alps, walks off-the-beaten-tracks, hidden treasures just a few steps away from the French Riviera, at the gates of the Mercantour National Park and its mysterious Vallée des Merveilles where more than 100,000 engraving stones bear witness to the Alpine peoples since the Bronce Age, a singular heritage of a people who have lived in this exceptional site for more than 5000 years. The Museum des Merveilles, a jewel of playful intelligence, will be a recommended stop to explain all the historical and natural wealth of this unique site in the world.

In Tende, La Brigue and Saorge, in addition to their old medieval towns, mazes of alleys full of history and legends, you will be led to visit their sumptuous baroque treasures (Tende Cathedral, churches and chapels of La Brigue and Saorge, Franciscan Monastery of Saorge, Our Lady of the Fountains and its incredible frescoes of the Italian Renaissance), true highlights of the valley amongst thousand wonders.

THE ALPINE ROADS BY TRAIN: HISTORY, NATURE & AUTHENTICITY 

Highlights of the Train Tour "Train Experience Through the Alps: the Royal Baroque Route" :

•     A unique historical train line through the Alps (bridges, canyons, tunnels) with commentary on board

•     Authentic and surprising villages of the Roya Valley, off the beaten track

•     A rich history through the Royal Route, the Salt Route and the Baroque Route

•     Crossing the Southern Alps

•     An exceptional cathedral, churches and baroque chapels

•     A typical picnic lunch in Nice (or a delicious restaurant)

•     Local guide, professional and expert of these villages

•     Guided tours in small groups for a better quality of service (max. 11 pers.)

OPTIONS Culture & History :

- Franciscan Monastery, its painted cloister, church, choir and gardens, monks' vegetable garden, place of meditation and work for writers (+6€/person, recommended, please call a week by advance)

- Unique chapel painted in 1492 by one of the forerunners of the Italian Gothic and Renaissance (5€/person, recommended, one week by advance)

- Visit to the Museum of Wonders (Free, recommended)

Pricing conditions:

Included : train tickets (back & forth), professional guide-lecturer, picnic lunch of local specialities.

Possibility to have lunch in a typical restaurant (+15€ per person)

POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR GROUPS :

BICYCLE OPTIONS: (Only for groups of minimum 7 people)

- ELECTRIC BICYCLES +45€/bike

- VELOS VTC +35€/bike

OPTIONS Restoration :

- Breakfast served by us on the train (+9€/p, please call 48 hours in advance)

- Lunch restaurant (local cuisine +15€/person, please call 48 hours in advance).


OPTIONS Sports and Hikes (Options only available for groups of 6 to 11 people, please call 2 weeks in advance):

- Guided hike in the Vallée des Merveilles and its rock engravings (Bus + half-day hike (min.2h00)).

- 4x4 experience in the Mercantour Park

- Canyoning or river rafting or just swimming

- Ride a donkey or a horse for an unusual ride

- Via Ferrata and Tyrolean (+5€/person 2-3h)

- Short hikes around the villages

Possibility to stay one night (or more) at the Hotel, Hostel, Refuge or Camping/Mobilhome/Yourte and to elaborate tailor-made programs over several days with hikes in the Mercantour National Park (Sport or relax days, massages, spa & wellness).

Choose the options you like and ask for the program! We will send you the best possible program according to the planned tours and our availability.