Photo : Antonin Spies / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Chemin de fer de la Vendée
The Chemin de fer de la Vendée is a tourist and heritage railway, run by an association committed since 1992 to safeguarding Vendée railway heritage. It runs historic trains, railcars and a steam locomotive on the section from Mortagne-sur-Sèvre to Les Herbiers, part of a former line from Vouvant-Cezais to Saint-Christophe-du-Bois.
The route of about twenty kilometres crosses the Vendée bocage and passes several engineering structures, including the Barbin viaduct, about 300 metres long and about 38 metres high. The journey is made in old carriages hauled by a steam locomotive, which recall the atmosphere of trains of old.
The association also offers restaurant trains from Mortagne-sur-Sèvre station, as well as occasional events such as Heritage Days. Services run in season, and booking is recommended.
