Tournon - Train de L'Ardeche

 We arrived in Tournon after dark last night, and tied up to another Viking vessel. After breakfast we headed ashore to meet the buses to take us on our included excursion. The steam train is one of the many small regional trains that use to operate in the small valleys of this area. The season has not actually started yet, but they are operating as a charter for the River cruise companies. Apparently they do theme trains through the year - Easter, beer, wine, Halloween and Christmas. The route we take is up the valley of the Doux river, and is very windy! The valley is very rugged with few houses. There are chestnut trees, and some fruit trees, and goats are kept as there isn't forage for cows. There are a couple of power stations for hydro-electric power when there is water, it gets very dry in summer. Across the river we can see an aqueduct that was built by prisoners in WW1. In about 1/2 hour we reach our turn around spot, where they turn the engine around and put it at the other end of the train. We have about 20 minutes to walk around and a chance to buy some local chestnut and fruit products. For the return journey we switch sides so all can have a view of the river gorge.

Back to the town of Tournon to board the ship, just in time for lunch!









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