I like to update this older post even in winter of a past time we have done all over France at least once is worth it, Let me bring you to the magical world of litle tourist trains which abound in my belle France. I cannot tell you all but the most significants for my family and with some pictures of some of them. We have enjoyed them tremendously especially when visiting early on that my boys were younger,now grown men difficult to get them into them but the memories lingered for the parents ,especially. I like to briefly share some of our favorites petit trains with you all. Enjoy it as we did!
The first petit train we took in France in our dear beloved Versailles. It is an internal train on the property of the castle even if sometimes it is taken outside on heritage days . You will ride in the property of the Domaine of Versailles which includes the gardens, the palace/museum, and the Hameau, Petit and Grand Trianon. Sublime to take it at least once and if too tired of the walks in the domaine. Enjoy it. The Versailles petit train webpage : http://www.train-versailles.com/en/
The Petit train of Port du Crouesty, Arzon; you take it from here to the next port harbor of Port Navalo passing by the windmill or Moulin de Pen Castel. A nice ride along the ocean and harbors, The Arzon Evènements on the petit train : https://arzonevenements.fr/visite/
The Petit train du loch in Auray. Also, in my lovely Morbihan breton and the first one taken while living here. It is a good idea as the lower town of St Goustan is very steep in streets and cobblestones; so a first try here is recommended. The Bay of Quiberon tourist office on the petit train of Auray : https://www.baiedequiberon.bzh/a-voir-a-faire/culture-et-patrimoine/visites-guidees/le-petit-train-d-auray
Under the slogan «Bénodet, bonne idée» or Bénodet, good idea, take a ride into the old port and town of Bénodet, by its corniche de l’estuaire to the corniche de la mer, along the ocean and to the pointe Saint Gilles to the Fort du Coq. Great sights of boats and sea always gorgeous. The Celtittrain on Bénodet :https://celtictrain.com/
The petit trains of Quiberon, Vannes ,and Carnac/ La Trinité sur Mer are awesome especially at the beginning of the summer beach season as later are packed! Theses towns are in my beautiful Morbihan, just south of me, and they are worth the walk but on a petit train at first is sublime. More info on their webpages sites:
The Petit train de Quiberon : https://www.petittrain-quiberon.com/quiberon?language=en
The Petit train de Vannes : https://www.petittrain-vannes.com/vannes?language=en
The Petit train de Carnac/La Trinité sur Mer : https://www.petittrain-carnac.com/carnac?language=en
The Petit train of Fougéres, you go to the foot of the castle at place Raoul 2. And go no with a beautiful ride into old Fougéres for a 40 minutes ride! Webpage : https://www.petit-train-fougeres.com/
The Petit train of Nantes. A great ride with lots to see and come back for it in details later on. The trip goes into the city center retracing the history of Nantes. You leave from the wonderful Cathedral Saint-Pierre, to the center gazing at beautiful architecture we like it still. The Nantes tourist office on theh petit train : https://www.nantes-tourisme.com/en/visit/tourist-train-tour
The Petit train or Noirmout’train of the island or île de Noirmoutier . This offers four tours but take the grand tour first time to see it all. These are call the découverte or discovery , village anciens or old towns, marais salants or salted marshes and the grand tour or big trip. Webpage : http://noirmouttrain.fr/
The Petit train of St Jean de Luz. a nice ride looking at its beautiful houses, Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste (St John the Baptist), thalasso and casino,the house of the future queen of France Maria Teresa of Spain, and the wonderful place Louis-XIV. This one is going back a lot but nice memories, webpage : http://www.petit-train-saint-jean-de-luz.com/
The Petit Train of St Malo. another good option on a narrow cobblestone fortified city to take the tour first. You take it at the Esplanade Saint Vincent, between the tourist office and the Castle. Webpage : https://www.lepetittrain-saintmalo.com/fr/accueil/
The Petit Train of Tours taking you to the old neighborhoods of the city of Tours such as the Hôtel de Ville – Palais de Justice – Basilique Saint-Martin – Place Plumerau – Théâtre – Place Foire Le Roi – Château -, and Cathédrale Saint-Gatien. Official webpage : https://www.petits-trains-val-de-loire.fr/visiter-tours/
The Petit train of Albi is great for the hilly streets and a a great experience when approaching the Cathedral! Official webpage : https://www.albi-tourisme.fr/en/little-tourist-train-albi
The Petit Train of Rouen, other than Paris and Versailles this one was the first one taken in France way back in the 90’s, and repeat with the boys A wonderful experience on the old neighborhood of Rouen and the parvis of the Cathedral! Rouen tourist office on the petit train : https://en.rouentourisme.com/mini-train-and-carriage-tours/le-petit-train-1036-en/
The Petit Train of Bourges. hah, when we saw the steep streets at first this one was the best option to see the most important monuments and choose those most like to come back on foot! The approach to the Cathedral is awesome. Webpage : https://petittrain-bourges.fr/
The Petit Train of Amboise. A lovely ride on the Château Royal; Château du Clos Lucé, the banks of the Loire river and the golden island or l’île d’Or . Great views magnificent rides and we take our house wines here so we tested a few time after a long day lol! Webpage : https://www.petittrain-amboise.com/
The Petit train of Angers, a wonderful ride on old Angers discovering the Cité la doutre, wooden houses ,anecdotes as told by the conductor and of course the Cathedral. The petit trains du Val de Loire on Angers : http://www.petits-trains-val-de-loire.fr/visiter-angers/
The Petit train of Beaune! from departure at the rue de l’hôtel Dieu in front of the Hospices of Beaune! Nothing more sublime than this and a narrated tour of the old town with its wonderful monuments and the vineyards of Burgundy! The Visio petit train of Beaune : https://www.visiotrain.com/fr/tarifs-et-horaires/
The Petit train of Caen, again one of the earliest little train we took as a family , great memories. You take at the wonderful Church of St Pierre facing the tourist office , and go on to see the Château, Abbaye aux Dames, port, Tour Leroy, Abbaye aux Hommes, place St Sauveur, and the old city center of Caen. The city of Caen on the petit train : https://www.caenlamer-tourisme.com/leisure/cap-train-tourist-train-excursion/
The Petit train of Chartres, another of the earlier ones we took and very nice. Along the banks of the river, to see all monuments and of course the Cathedral of Chartres glorious as ever. Webpage : http://www.lepetittraindechartres.fr/
The Petit train of Deauville; this one is a long run worth it to avoid long walks, you can always come back to the best sights. Starts at City center and goes into Place Morny, Vieux Marché (old market), Yatchs basin, Port Deauville, Poney Club, Mini-Golf, CID, Piscine (pool), Plages (beaches) and along the sea, Les Planches, Promenade M. d’Ornano, new gardens , wonderful luxury Hôtels, and Casino,and back to the city/town hall or Mairie. The promotrain on Deauville : https://promotrain.fr/deauvilles-little-train/?lang=en
The Petit train of Dieppe, a nice narrated ride on the narrow streets of Dieppe with history of the town included. The ride takes you into the old town, and the port, the landing beach and its monuments. The tourist train of Dieppe : https://train-touristique-dieppe.fr/index.php/visite/
The Petit train of Guérande ; very nice on narrow cobblestone streets and as have friends with small children here we took it too lol! Goes from the foot of the gate or porte St Michel, the main entrance to the fortified city. Webpage : https://petit-train-guerande.fr/
The Petit train of La Baule, a great ride from the bay 8 km connecting the towns of La Baule to Pornichet. Passing by great beaches and wonderful view of the ocean! Webpage : https://www.petittrain-labaule-pornichet.com/
The Petit train of Le Mans,another great idea on a narrow steep and cobblestone fortified town. You go into the old town of the Cîté Plantagenet and the pedestrian center, along the banks of the Sarthe river, with story telling indeed very interesting. The petit trains du Val de Loire on Le Mans: http://www.petits-trains-val-de-loire.fr/visiter-le-mans/
The Petit train of Quimper , goes to the historic center town and into pedestrian only streets! and along the wharfs or quais of the Odet river! More info here: The Celtictrain on Quimper : https://celtictrain.com/
The Petit train of Saumur. Very nice as it was the last petit train we took as a family after my dear late wife Martine passed away from cancer. You ride along the banks of the Loire river into the historic equestrian and military heart of the buildings of the cavalry, Church of St Pierre, medieval streets of the city center to arrive at the majestic Château de Saumur overlooking the Loire river. The petit trains du Val de Loire on Saumur : http://www.petits-trains-val-de-loire.fr/visiter-saumur/
The Petit train of Toulouse. It has two tours or trips one lets you see the monuments such as the Place du Capitole, Basilique St-Sernin, Place St-Pierre, Quais de la Garonne, Church de la Daurade, neighborhoods or quartiers Croix-Baragnon and St-Georges, and the Place Wilson. The second trip takes you to discover the monuments of the neighborhoods or quartiers Dalbade, Palais de Justice, and the public gardens such as Jardin Royal, Grand Rond. Also, the palace or Palais Niel, and the Canal du Midi. A sentimental favorite in France and worth the ride on both tours. Webpage : https://en.petittraintoulouse.com/
The Petit train of Montmartre, Paris. It was the second petit train we ever took in France! Well this one by now is very touristic in my opinion but with the steep cobblestone streets of Montmartre it is still a good idea to take it at first. You will ride into its picturesques streets, the ateliers of painters, the monuments, the cabarets, the vineyard, and the wonderful Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Sacre Coeur with a panoramic view of Paris to end start at the Place du Tertre. An old and very memorable pic of my oldest son. Webpage :https://promotrain.fr/montmartres-little-train/?lang=en
There is one more webpage that showcase all of the above and a lot more petit trains in France. Official Petits trains de France webpage : https://www.petits-trains.com/
They are all over, really, worth the detour especially with family and your first time in the area. You will have an idea of all the wonderful things to see briefly for later come back for a more in depth look on those you like the most. Great idea ! Also, for someone with limited time and or not good at long walks they are a perfect choice to do. Enjoy them as we have done over the years, and glad still around us for the enjoyment of all! The Petit trains are sublimes!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 