The Yellow Train of the Pyrenees : an unmissable excursion during a stay in the Albères
The Yellow Train, symbol of the Catalan Country, is the highest meter gauge railway in Europe. Nicknamed the “Canary” by locals because of its yellow and red colors, it connects Villefranche-de-Conflent to La Tour-de-Carol on 63 kilometers through the spectacular landscapes of the Pyrénées-Orientales.
Commissioned at the beginning of the 20th century, The Yellow Train constitutes a unique railway feat in France. He crosses 650 works of art, including the famous Séjourné viaduct and the Gisclard suspension bridge, classified as a historic monument. The line reaches more than 1 500 meters of altitude and offers exceptional panoramas of the Canigou massif and the Catalan highlands.
A unique experience aboard the Yellow Train
Traveling aboard the Yellow Train, it's not just about moving : it’s experiencing a real immersion in the Catalan Pyrenees.
The train travels at moderate speed, allowing you to admire :
- The deep valleys
- Pine forests
- Mountain villages
- The Pyrenean peaks
In summer season, some wagons are partially open, offering a particularly appreciated panoramic experience. The regular sound of the locomotive, the passages on the viaducts and the open views give the journey an authentic and timeless character.
The entire route lasts approximately three hours, but it is possible to get on or off at the different intermediate stations to organize a personalized excursion.
Route of the Yellow Train : 63 km in the heart of the Catalan Pyrenees
- Villefranche-de-Conflent
- the world
- Olette – Canaveilles-les-Bains
- Thuès-Carança (departure towards the Gorges de la Carança)
- Fontpédrouse – Saint-Thomas (access to hot water baths)
- Mont-Louis – La Cabanasse
- Bolquère – Eye
- Font-Romeu – Odeillo – Via
- Bourg-Madame
- Ur – Les Escaldes
- La Tour-de-Carol
The entire journey takes around three hours and reaches over 1 500 altitude meters.
It is possible to organize a day trip from the south of the Pyrénées-Orientales.
Integrate the Yellow Train into your stay in Albères
The main departure of the Yellow Train is located in Villefranche-de-Conflent, about 1h15 from the Albères massif. This distance makes it easy to organize a day excursion while maintaining accommodation between the sea and the mountains..
Staying in the Albères offers an ideal balance for discovering the Pyrénées-Orientales :
- The beaches of Argelès-sur-Mer
- Hikes in the massif
- The discovery of Collioure and Céret
- A day at altitude aboard the Yellow Train
Located in Villelongue-dels-Monts, the Domaine Pedra Llampada constitutes a strategic anchor point to spread across the entire territory without changing accommodation.
Organize a day around the Yellow Train
The Yellow Train is not limited to a simple panoramic journey. It can become the common thread of a full day in the mountains.
Several stations allow you to get off to discover major sites :
- Thuès-Carança for the Gorges de la Carança
- Fontpédrouse – Saint-Thomas for hot water baths
- Mont-Louis – La Cabanasse for its classified fortifications and its solar oven
- Bolquère – Eyne for access to high altitude trails
It is possible, For example :
- To leave early in the morning from Albères
- To take a hike departing from a station
- To take the Yellow Train again in the afternoon
- Then return to the Domaine at the end of the day
This organization makes it possible to combine nature, railway heritage and discovery, while maintaining the comfort of accommodation in the plains.
FAQ – Yellow Train and organization of your stay
Can you do the Yellow Train in one day from Albères? ?
Oui, the round trip is perfectly achievable in a day from Villelongue-dels-Monts.
How long does the Yellow Train route take? ?
The entire journey between Villefranche-de-Conflent and La Tour-de-Carol takes approximately three hours.
Does the Yellow Train operate all year round? ?
Oui, but hours vary depending on the season. It is advisable to check before planning the excursion.
the yellow train
