 |
| ||||
 |
|
|
|
||
|
The trip begins with a ride along the route of the old steam train which used to link Lamastre with Le Cheylard through the mountains of the Ardèche department. Then, after going from one valley to the next, you cycle alongside the turbulent River Eyrieux. Numerous traces of the engineers’ work remain, and the scenery is simply superb. It’s a really different way to see the mountains of the Ardèche, the Boutières, and the typical Ardèche valleys , whilst giving new purpose to the superb railway heritage, today abandoned.
The route, with its gentle slopes, is ideal for cycle tourists. But as the paths are not surfaced, country bikes (hybrids) are recommended.*
Holidays from April to October.
You can begin your stay any day April- June and September - October.
In the high season, holidays start on odd dates (1st, 3rd, 5th...) in July, and even dates (2nd, 4th, 6th...) in August.
Itineraries (please click for details)
8 days / 7 nights 
5 days / 4 nights
Characteristics of circuits
Difficulty: 2/5
Daily stages from 15 - 35 kilometres
Total uphill between 50 and 515 metres
Altitudes from 350- 700metres
Cycling along the old railway trail and little country roads
Suitable for road or trail bikes
What's included?
Half board
Baggage transfers
Detailed road-book and maps
Technical and logistical support
Transfer from Ollières to Lamastre
Reservation request
Booking form
Once you've filled in the form, Safran will suggest a made-to-measure holiday adapted to your personally chosen dates during the week or at the weekend.
Tariffs 2012
| Price per person, on the basis of two people sharing same room | Additional services | |||||||
| Duration | July - August | Low Season | Child 6 - 11 | Child 2 - 5 | Child under 2 | Bike rental Adult | Bike rental Child | Baby seat rental |
| 8d/7n | € 610 | € 570 | -30% | -40% | € 80 | € 90 | € 55 | € 11 |
| 5d/4n | - | € 370 | -30% | -40% | € 45 | € 65 | € 35 | € 6 |
| Reduction if children share parents' room | Pinic: €10 per person, reductions for children | |||||||
|
A railway story
 The idea of creating this railway line goes back to the middle of the XIX century. The project aimed to support the economic development of the Vivarais (historic region which roughly corresponds to modern-day Ardèche) with its silk farms, vineyards and arboriculture...but high costs stopped part of the works and it was only fifteen years later that they were finally begun. The first network came into service on 10th September 1891.A veritable prowess! The inhabitants of Boutières could now reach Valence in less than 3 hours against 8 previously! The steam train ran at an average speed which rarely exceeded 20 km/h(12.5mph), without mentioning numerous incidents such as derailments and breakdowns... Due to lack of operating profit, the Compagnie de Chemin de Fer Départementale ceased all activity on 1st November 1968. Only the line from Tournon to Lamastre was maintained. It is due to be reopened in 2010 or 2011 after lengthy safety improvements. |
|
|
|
Agence Safran - Les Cascades - F. 26400 Mirabel et Blacons
Tel. +33 (0)4 75 25 78 78 - Fax +33 (0)4 75 25 78 79
info@safrantours.com - Agence de voyages LI.026.99.0001