If you spend your holidays in Isère, around Grenoble or the Chartreuse massif, don't miss one of the most picturesque tourist attractions in the department: the Petit Train de La Mure! Here is everything you need to know about the history and route of this railway line in 5 questions.
The Petit Train de La Mure, whose name has nothing to do with the fruit, is named after its departure station, located in the town of La Mure in the southern part of the Isère department.
More precisely, the La Mure station is located at 36 boulevard Fréjus Michon, 38350 La Mure. It is there that you can board this iconic little red train of the French Alps.
The Little Train of La Mure offers a journey of about 50 minutes through magnificent mountain landscapes. The commune of La Mure in Isère is indeed unique in that it is located on the Matheysin plateau, a plateau surrounded by mountains.
The route of this railway line crosses 5 communes and 5 tunnels. This small tourist train also passes through 3 impressive viaducts to take you to the terminus in the commune of Monteynard.
From the terminus, you can continue your journey on foot to the Belvédère du Grand Balcon, which overlooks one of the largest hydroelectric dams in France and its turquoise waters lake. This breathtaking view is the highlight of the tour. To make the most of it, you can plan a picnic and settle at the picnic tables on site.
In 2024, the fare for the Petit Train de La Mure is €27 per person in high season (June - July - August) and €25 per person in low season (April - May - September - October - November). This rather high fare is the main drawback of this otherwise interesting tourist attraction.
The cost of the tickets explains why opinions are divided on the Internet and in online tourist guides. Nevertheless, if you are willing to pay the price, the most interesting option is the Duo Ticket, at €32 in high season and €30 in low season.
This is a round-trip ticket including a visit to the La Mine Image museum. This unusual museum, which bears witness to the local mining history, is located in the galleries of a former anthracite mine in the commune of La Motte d'Aveillans.
If you opt for the Duo Ticket, you will stop at the La Mine Image museum on the return train journey and enjoy a guided tour lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes inside these underground galleries. For this visit, it is recommended to bring warm clothing and suitable shoes.
Note: During the summer season, free activities for children and adults are also planned aboard the little red train. You can enjoy a journey animated by storytellers on Thursdays (for the 4 p.m. departure) and the Nocturnes du Petit Train on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in July and August (departure at 7:10 p.m.).
Nowadays, the little red tourist train operates a section of only 15 km on the La Mure railway. This narrow-gauge railway line was built at the end of the 19th century to connect the La Mure mining basin to the Grenoble urban area and ensure the transport of anthracite.
Its construction lasted six years and cost 12 million gold francs. The new 30 km long line was finally inaugurated on July 24, 1888. Initially operated with steam traction, it was partially electrified from 1903 onwards.
This railway, which initially provided passenger and freight transport, faced competition from road transport, so much so that passenger traffic ceased as early as 1950. Part of this line continued to be used for the transport of anthracite coal until October 1988.
At the same time, the tourist operation of the La Mure railway developed from 1978 onwards. Nearly half a century later, travelers still board the Petit Train de La Mure for an unusual journey leading to a magnificent panorama.
If this presentation has made you want to take this journey through spectacular landscapes, between lakes and mountains, note that the Petit Train de La Mure does not run every day.
Attention: the train schedule varies depending on the season!
For more information, you can check the calendar on the official website below or inquire by phone at 04 11 62 62 62.
Author Audrey on 05 April 2023
Travel and Tourism : Hotel by region
Author Audrey on 20 January 2023
Travel and Tourism : Stay