The Cévenol, or Cévennes train, immerses its passengers in magnificent scenery thanks to the engineering feats and historic infrastructure along the route.
Discover some of the wonders of this legendary railway line, stretching from the Nîmes area to the heart of the Massif Central.
One of the oldest railway lines in France
The line was built between 1850 and 1870, linking Clermont-Ferrand to Nîmes via Langogne. It was during the Second Empire that the work was carried out in several stages before this major railway line through the Cévennes was finally completed.
The line comprises a total of 304 kilometres of track and features numerous breathtaking structures, such as the Chamborigaud Viaduct (409 metres long) and the Chapeauroux Viaduct (433 metres long). Around a hundred tunnels allow trains to pass through the mountains, hills and rivers.
The Cévenol on video
An iconic train: the Cévenol
In 1955, the legend of this historic line continued to unfold with the introduction of an iconic train, nicknamed ‘Le Cévenol’. The line between Vichy and Nîmes was served by X 2400* railcars, which were replaced in 1959 by X 4200* railcars to allow passengers to admire the magnificent scenery passing by throughout the journey. These train models were designed to operate on tourist routes and featured a panoramic design. They have become legendary throughout France with their red and cream-coloured livery.
From 1979 onwards, the Cévenol service ran daily between Paris and Marseille via Clermont-Ferrand and Nîmes. As a result, the railcars were replaced by 8-car Corail* trains. The line became a major tourist attraction during those years.
From 2007, with the introduction of the Téoz* trains, the Cévennes line no longer served Paris and terminated at Clermont-Ferrand. In 2013, the service to Marseille was discontinued. Nîmes once again became its southern terminus. Since 2018, the line has been served by a TER Occitanie liO service. The service is operated by a Coradia Liner railcar, which runs the route in a striking red livery.
Immerse yourself in magnificent landscapes
All year round, the TER train on the SNCF Cévennes line takes you on a journey through landscapes of breathtaking beauty. Travel through the Gorges de l’Allier with their lush greenery and rushing waters. Marvel at the Cévennes mountain range. Stop off at stations and towns that will give you a real change of scenery.
In Auvergne, the town of Brioude welcomes you to a heritage shaped by Romanesque art.
In the Haute-Loire, Langeac is situated on the banks of the Allier. The town is home to the ‘Pierre des fées’, a prehistoric dolmen.
In Lozère, Langogne offers a wide range of water-based activities, thanks in particular to its magnificent Lake Naussac and the various access points to the Haut Allier Gorges.
Mende invites you to discover the richness of its historical heritage. It boasts a
magnificent Gothic cathedral, built between the 14th and 16th centuries. The region is particularly marked by the terrifying, yet fascinating, history of the Beast of Gévaudan.
Another point of interest, amongst many others, is the commune of Mont-Lozère-et-Goulet – formerly known as Bagnols-les-Bains – which boasts thermal baths offering a rejuvenating experience. This natural environment, with its many benefits, was already being utilised by the Romans in ancient times.
Today, the line is divided into various sections and is served by several TER regional trains, with timetables that vary according to the season. However, it still offers the same immersive experience for which it has historically been renowned.
Milestones in the line’s history
Some dates markingthe opening of the sections to all traffic, both freight and passenger:
- 1855, the sections from Clermont-Ferrand to Issoire and from Issoire to Brassac-les-Mines / Sainte-Florine
- 1856, from Brassac-les-Mines / Sainte-Florine to Arvant
- 1857, from Arvant to Laroche / Faugère, from Laroche / Faugère to Beaumont / Lauriat, and from Beaumont / Lauriat to Brioude
- 1866, from Brioude to Saint-Georges-d’Aurac and from Saint-Georges-d’Aurac to Langeac
- 1867, from Villefort to La Levade
- 1870, from Langeac to Langogne and from Langeac to Villefort
- The southern section, between La Levade and Alès, already existed and has undergone some improvements to complete the link towards Nîmes.
The Cévenol: a practical guide
From Nîmes to Clermont-Ferrand
Railway stations and stops
List of stops on the route:
Nîmes Centre, Saint-Geniès-de-Malgoirès, Alès, Grand Combe La Pise, Chamborigaud, Génolhac, Villefort, La Bastide / St-Laurent-les-Bains, Luc (Lozère), Langogne, Chapeauroux, Alleyras, Monistrol d’Allier, Langeac, Saint-George-d’Aurac, Brioude, Arvant, Brassac-Les-Mines, Sainte-Florine, Le Breuil-Sur-Couze, Issoire, Clermont-La Pardieu, Clermont-Ferrand.
liO TER Train Timetables
To view timetables and connections, please visit the dedicated page:
Book your tickets for the Cévenol
- Buying and booking your train ticket for the Cévennes line between Nîmes and Clermont-Ferrand:
Route of the line
Interactive map and useful links for the Cévennes railway line between Nîmes and Clermont-Ferrand, continuing to Saint-Germain-des-Fosses towards Paris:
Other routes and connections
The Causses Line
Running parallel to the Cévennes line and the Causses line, which starts from Béziers or Bédarieux, is another gem of a railway line:
Timetables and connections
From the Cévennes line, you can also travel on the regular SNCF and TER services in the Occitanie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur regions on the following trains:
- Line 14 from Paris to Moulins-sur-Allier, Vichy and Clermont-Ferrand (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes TER)
- Line 8 from Clermont-Ferrand to Nîmes via Langogne ( Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes TER)
- Line 21: Nîmes to Montpellier and Narbonne, and from Nîmes to Avignon ( Occitanie)
- Line 28 from Béziers to Clermont-Ferrand ( liO Occitanie)
- Line 81 from Clermont-Ferrand to Béziers (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes TER)
- From Nîmes to Marseille
- Reservations and train tickets for all destinations online:
Travel+
- Timetable: Nîmes / Clermont-Ferrand
- The Cévenol Line, Regional Inventory
- X 2400, X 4200, Téoz, Corail, Coradia Liner via Wikipedia
- Line diagram, Wikipedia