After more than a decade of suspension, the rail link between Montréjeau and Luchon is resuming service. This reopening, which was officially announced on 22 June 2025, marks an important milestone for transport in Haute-Garonne and Hautes-Pyrénées. It breathes new life into a vital route for residents, visitors and the local economy. Find out more about the challenges behind this rail revival, practical information and places to visit along the route between the stations.
A new impetus for rail transport in the Pique Valley
Ten years after it closed, the railway line between Montréjeau and Bagnères-de-Luchon – an iconic feature of this Pyrenean valley – is once again welcoming passengers. This revival, which came into effect on 22 June 2025, symbolises the Occitanie region’s strong commitment to sustainable transport, improving access to rural areas and promoting an exceptional natural and tourist heritage. A look back at this eagerly awaited reopening, the challenges involved, its practical benefits and the treasures to be discovered along the route.
Closed in 2014 following high water levels and flooding that damaged an already dilapidated infrastructure, the line known as the Montréjeau–Luchon line, which is 36 kilometres long, connects Montréjeau-Gourdan-Polignan station, onthe Tarbes–Toulouse line, to the spa and tourist resort of Bagnères-de-Luchon via the La Pique valley. The Occitanie Region has invested 67 million euros to completely refurbish the track, stations and level crossings, bearing the entire cost itself against a backdrop of the State’s withdrawal of support for small railway lines.
The Regional President, Carole Delga, emphasises that this policy decision aims to restore a public rail service that is vital to the local economy, to provide a reliable alternative to the car for both daily commutes and tourist travel, whilst committing to more environmentally friendly transport. Occitanie thus becomes the first French region to take back direct management and project ownership of a regional railway line, sending a strong signal for the future of rail across the regions.
The reopening of the line is more than just a regional symbol. On a day-to-day basis, it makes life easier for the valley’s residents by offering a fast and environmentally friendly alternative to cars and buses for travelling to workplaces, educational institutions, healthcare centres and schools. This link thus enhances accessibility and regional cohesion.
For visitors, the train becomes the ideal gateway to the Central Pyrenees, with direct access to Luchon, a spa and outdoor sports resort in both summer and winter. It also provides access to numerous villages and remarkable natural sites from the stops and stations.
The transport service will be gradually expanded to improve intermodality with bus routes and tourist shuttle services, particularly during the summer.
- 10 years on, the train is back on the Montréjeau–Luchon line🚆 ( video clip):
By train from Montréjeau to Luchon
Since 22 June 2025, there have been several daily return services connecting Montréjeau to Luchon in just 35 minutes, compared with 55 minutes by coach. Some of the bus services have been retained to provide local transport.
The timetables are designed to meet the needs of local residents, students and tourists, with connections to Toulouse, Pau and Tarbes. As for fares, tickets cost between €1 and €3 per journey depending on the timetable ↗, with reduced fares for under-26s, season tickets and special offers tailored to your profile.
Safety has also been improved, with the complete refurbishment of the line’s 25 level crossings and the modernisation of the platforms and passenger facilities, particularly at Luchon station, which is a listed historic monument and has been fully refurbished for the occasion.
Rail lines, stations and stops
The train from Montréjeau to Luchon calls at five stations and stops along its route:
- Montréjeau-Gourdan-Polignan railway station
A junction for services to Toulouse and Tarbes, north of the town of Gourdan-Polignan, on the western border of the Haute-Garonne department
- Lourès-Barbazan railway stop
South of the village of Loures-Barousse, in the Hautes-Pyrénées department
- Saléchan-Siradan railway stop
To the north of the commune of Saléchan in the Hautes-Pyrénées
- Marignac Saint-Béatrailway stop
, north-west of the commune of Marignac, in the Haute-Garonne department, at the confluence of the Pique and the Garonne
- Luchon railway station
The line’s iconic terminus, the town of Bagnères-de-Luchon, lies at the confluence of the One and the Pique rivers, at the foot of the Pyrenees and on the border with Spain.
Timetable for this route
Whether by bus or train, here are the timetables and stops for the Montréjeau to Luchon route:
Reader, instructions for use (French)
Book your ticket
Would you like to book your ticket? Choose your operator (TER liO Occitanie is recommended for this route):
Discoveries along the route
Whilst you’re waiting for your next trip between the Garonne and Pique valleys, here are a few places to visit along the route:
- Lake Montréjeau 1
A leisure area offering swimming, water sports and outdoor activities, as well as walking trails. - Elephant Cave
A decorated cave and natural site in Gourdan-Polignan. - Barousse Nature Park 2
Hiking, wildlife spotting, activities. - The Vélosud 3 (in Montréjeau) and Trans-Garona 4 cycle routes
Cycling routes between the Garonne and the Pyrenees. - Saint-Béat Castle 5 and its chapel
A feudal-era citadel dating from the12th century in Saint-Béat-Lez. - Luchon railway station
. Dating from 1873 and listed as a historic monument, it was restored for the reopening of the line.
- Luchon Thermal Baths
A spa resort renowned for its treatments and its19th-century architecture.
- Pequerin Footbridge
, south of Bagnères-de-Luchon in the upper Pique Valley; a Himalayan-style footbridge 50 metres above the torrent. - Superbagnères 6 Ski Resort
Accessible by cable car from Luchon town centre.
- The Lys Valley and Lake Oô 7
Popular natural sites for walking and relaxing in the great outdoors.
Tourist map
And to help you plan your journey between the Garonne, the Pique and the Pyrenees, here is a map showing the railway line, stations, cycle routes and other tourist information, which is regularly updated:
Where to stay along the route
Are you looking for somewhere to stay overnight? For every railway station or stop, there’s a map of hotels and accommodation, plus Toulouse and Tarbes:
Trains and stations in Occitanie
And to start planning your next trip to Occitanie, visit the page on stations and trains in Occitanie:
Travel+
- The lake, Montréjeau Town Hall ↩︎
- Comminges Barousse Pyrénées Nature Park, MonPNR ↩︎
- The VéloSud cycle route, from Lannemzan to Saint-Gaudens via Montréjeau, FVT ↩︎
- Garonne Cycle Route, Trans-Garonna, HG Tourisme ↩︎
- The Feudal Castle of Saint-Béat, HT Tourisme ↩︎
- Ski resort in the Pyrenees ↩︎
- Lake Ôo, Wikipedia ↩︎