If you’re a travel enthusiast and crave experiences that blend scenery, adventure, and a splash of vertigo, the Artouste Train in the French Pyrenees is a must-stop. Sitting at nearly 2,000 meters above sea level, it ranks as Europe’s highest narrow-gauge railway and offers views that look straight out of a fairytale. From the striking red and yellow carriages to the deep blue of Lake Artouste, every leg of the journey makes a lasting impression.
The train that today operates as a tourist attraction has a far different origin. At the end of the 19th century, Lake Artouste was discovered by the Pyreneanist and abbot Ludovic Gaurier. In the following years, its hydroelectric potential spurred the construction of the lake’s dam, begun in 1920. The roughly 10-kilometer rail line was designed to transport about 2,000 workers who labored on the dam, along with their tools and materials. By 1929 the dam was complete, and in 1932 a cable car was opened connecting to Sagette station. It was then that the train began taking tourists on board, with red and yellow locomotives and carriages able to carry 72 people. For nearly a century, this small panoramic train has offered a unique way to approach the Ossau valley’s landscapes.
Prices, schedules, and ticket reservations
The Artouste train operates only in spring and summer, from mid-May to the end of September. During the peak season, July and August, trains depart every half hour from 9:00 to 17:00. In the off season, departures run hourly, from 10:00 to 15:00. There are two one-day excursion options: the ‘discovery’ half-day ticket costs 27 euros, and the ‘getaway’ full-day ticket costs 33 euros. Both include the cable car and the round-trip train ride, with options for one-way only or with a flexible return up to one or two days later. Exact schedules and prices can be checked on the official website, where reservations are also managed.
Getting to the Artouste station
The cable car station is located in Laruns, less than a half-hour drive from the town center. It lies close to the Spanish border: 17 km from the Aramón Formigal-Panticosa station, 68 km from Jaca, and just over an hour and a half from Huesca. The location makes it easy to combine the excursion with other Pyrenees activities or even a road trip from the Spanish side. The entire journey takes at least half a day. First, 15 minutes on the cable car ascending from 1,400 to 1,900 meters in elevation. Then, 55 minutes of train travel to the final station at 1,997 meters. From there, free time depends on the chosen option: one hour and twenty minutes for ‘discovery’ or up to five hours and forty-five minutes for ‘getaway’. The return mirrors the ascent times, totaling a minimum of four hours of excursion.
What to see at the summit: Lake Artouste and Midi d’Ossau Peak
The train journey itself is an experience, offering views of the Soussouéou valley, marmots popping up, and the vertigo that comes from skirting cliff edges. On arrival, a short stroll leads to Lake Artouste, an intense blue that’s impossible to ignore. The dam provides sweeping views of the valley, and there are hiking trails that depart from there, such as the popular route to Col d’Artouste, an 8 km trek with a 530-meter elevation gain, passing by the Carnau lakes.
