Travel bucket list idea:
Nice, Cote d'Azur, France
Bucket List Experience
Credit Shutterstock.com/Steven Phraner
Get above it all on the picturesque, human-scale, and wonderfully scenic Train des Pignes.
The historic steam engine takes 90 minutes to chug from Puget-Theniers to Annot, and on special occasions goes as far Le Fugeret.
Along the way, you pass through verdant French countryside, peppered with mountains and gorges, olive-oil mills and walled villages.
Choose to disembark at medieval Entrevaux with its citadel, or Annot and Le Fugeret for lovely walks.
It’s a spectacular route and a great day out in the South of France: kids love it too.
The train departs from Puget-Theniers at 11am; if you are starting in Nice, the corresponding train from Nice CP station (north of the city centre) leaves at just after 9am (buy a combination ticket).
The train returns from Annot at around 3.30pm, allowing to you catch the corresponding train back to Nice, arriving back at 6pm.
Trains leave Puget-Theniers at 11am on Sundays from May until the first Sunday in November, as well as on Fridays in July and August, and also Thursdays in August.
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Cote d'Azur, France
Destination guide
The buzzing, art-filled, foodie capital of the French Riviera, with a charming, Italian-influenced historic centre. The ideal base for a first-time visit to the Cote d’Azur, and home to the world-renowned Nice Carnival.
Cote d'Azur, France
Destination guide
Sister city of Hollywood and host of the famous film festival, Cannes, with its palm-lined La Croisette, golden beach and five star hotels oozes cinematic and pure Riviera glamour.
Cote d'Azur, France
Destination guide
Money, glamour and bombshell looks: this beach-trimmed stretch of French coast offers decadent hotels, lounging in beach clubs, fine restaurants and world-class art.
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
Inspiration
Be it jaw-dropping scenery, a rich historical significance, the tradition and atmosphere of the train itself – or a combination of all three – here’s our round-up of the world’s best.