A Decade of Preservation

Tracing our ten-year journey in restoring and celebrating the historic railways of France. From overgrown tracks to thriving community experiences.

2014

The Foundation

VELORAILS DE VALDONNE ET DE LA SAINTE BAUME was established with a clear mission: to rescue the forgotten railway heritage of our region from nature's reclamation. A small group of passionate volunteers laid the groundwork for what would become a decade-long journey of preservation.

2016

Clearing the Path

Armed with determination and growing community support, our teams began the arduous task of clearing miles of overgrown tracks. This monumental effort revealed the historic iron arteries beneath, proving that these forgotten routes could once again serve the public.

2018

The First Vélorails

A true milestone year. We acquired and deployed our first fleet of vélorails, transforming static preservation into an interactive, kinetic experience. This allowed families and enthusiasts to physically engage with the railway heritage in a completely new way.

2020

Resilience & Restoration

During a period of global pause, we focused our efforts inward. Our dedicated mechanics and volunteers meticulously restored our first historic tourist train carriages, ensuring that when the world reopened, we would be ready to offer an expanded, accessible experience.

2022

Educational Journeys

We launched comprehensive educational programs, partnering with local schools to bring history out of the textbooks. By inviting students to experience the mechanics and history hands-on, we bridged the gap between 19th-century engineering and future generations.

2024

A Decade Celebrated

Today, we celebrate ten years of unwavering dedication. With record ridership, newly restored scenic routes, and a thriving community of supporters, our industrial heritage lives on—vibrant, preserved, and accessible to all.

A Decade of Preservation

The Rails of Valdonne Story

Ten years ago, a shared passion for France's industrial heritage ignited a movement in the heart of the Sainte Baume region. VELORAILS DE VALDONNE ET DE LA SAINTE BAUME was born not just from a desire to preserve old iron and timber, but to breathe life back into the forgotten arteries of our local history. What started as a small group of dedicated volunteers has blossomed into a cornerstone of community engagement and historical preservation.

Our journey began with the painstaking restoration of the historic railway lines that once carried the lifeblood of the region's economy. Overgrown tracks were cleared, decaying sleepers were replaced, and the rhythmic clatter of wheels on steel was finally heard again. We introduced vélorails and tourist trains, transforming these silent paths into vibrant corridors of education and recreation accessible to all.

"The railways of Sainte Baume are more than just tracks; they are the metallic threads that wove our communities together during the industrial dawn."

Today, our mission extends beyond mere preservation. We stimulate the local economy by drawing visitors from across the globe, offering them a unique, immersive way to experience the breathtaking landscapes of France. Through our educational programs, we ensure that the legacy of the railway workers and the engineering marvels of the past are never forgotten.

As we look to the next decade, our commitment remains unwavering: to keep the wheels turning, to maintain the rugged beauty of these historic routes, and to keep the stories alive for generations to come. Every ticket purchased, every pedal stroke on a vélorail, and every volunteer hour contributed helps us forge the next chapter in the Valdonne story.

"By pedaling along these historic routes, every visitor becomes an active participant in the living history of Valdonne."