Le Petit Train d`Artouste Le Petit Train d`Artouste

Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
1
THE HIGHEST RAILWAY TOURIST TRAIN OF
EUROPE
Artouste’s train is the highest tourist train of Europe. Its 2000 meters of altitude
journey offers the opportunity to discover nature’s wonder and secrets.
The 50 minutes ride to the lake, is a unique opportunity to access to the wonders
of mountain flora and fauna, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes.
Along the railway, many marmots pose such as actresses in a colourful decor. Looking
up, you can admire the flight of local rapacious. The Pyrenean chamois are more
discreet but what a joy to come across one! Pastoralism still allows these many sheep to
turn the site into a timeless place where life still breathes to the rhythm of nature.
After this picturesque promenade, one of the most beautiful walk in the area, the
blue azure of the lake of Artouste is a break in the heart of the enchanted Bearn
Pyrenees. This lake is actually a water reserve that allows the whole chain ok
hydroelectric power station in the valley of Artouste to function and so producing
electricity.
The ride on the train gives access to many hiking trails. Thus a day with the little
train will delight young and older and will remain as an eternal memory.
Le Pic du Midi d’Ossau depuis la gare de départ. © photo Altiservice
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
2
Contents
Card 1: Artouste’s Little Train
Page 3
Card 2: 80th anniversary of the highest Train of Europe
- Topic trains
- Anniversary display
Page 4
Card 3: Artouste’s Little Train from construction to today
Page 8 à 12
- History
- Current management
Card 4 : A Tourist Train
- The wonders of the pyrenees
- Location
- Timetable and prices
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
Page 14
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Card 1: Artouste’s little train, a train full of
energy.
In the heart of Valley of Ossau, discover the extraordinary Train of Artouste,
starting point of unforgettable walks through ender less breathtaking sceneries.
Real train on rail its 10km route along the cliff overlooking the massive size
of these marvellous panoramas to Lake Artouste to nearly 2000 m.
Composed of six wagons with a capacity of twelve visitors each, for a
total of 72 passengers, each train takes 50 minutes to do its journey.
The departure station is accessible by cable car departing from Fabrèges.
Once at the top, the magnificent show of the Pyrenean peaks is an eternal
delight with a view of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau as incredible surprise.
Main tourism attraction of the valley, it is also still used for maintenance of
the hydroelectric dams of SHEM (Société Hydro-Electrique du Midi). This train has
indeed been established 80 years ago for the construction of water projects in
the Valley of Ossau. By taking advantage of water, sustainable natural resource,
SHEM wrote the early history of electric railway, the electrification of urban and
industrial development of the great Southwest.
Le Petit Train © photo : CAZALE
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
4
CARD 2: The 80th anniversary of the highest
train of Europe.
To mark the 80th anniversary of the train, SHEM, Altiservice, City hall and
Laruns Tourist Office mobilize to create an eventful season. Topic trains, event
and moments of discovery will await you throughout the summer.
Les premiers voyages touristiques du train.© photo : SHEM
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
5
Topic Train
This is the schedule of the special trains invented for tourists. It is a great
opportunity to discover a colourful country with a lot of traditions.
Gourmet Train
Date : June 17th
Description : Discovering local specialities
while a train excursion. To be served:
sampling, wine tasting and other
surprises!
Music Train
Date : June 21st
Description: An eccentric way to celebrate
Music’s Day. All day long, two Jazz bands
will animate the railways.
Full Moon Train
Date : July 3st
Description: By a full-moon night, going to
discover it with astronomers that will tell
you everything about this natural satellite.
Traditional tales, hot wine and onion soup
on the way back.
Bearn’s Tales Train
Date : July 19th & 20th
Description: To be enchanted watching a
traditional bearnian tale in French &
Occitan. Pleasure and emotional moments
to simply share around a word, a melody
or a singing.
MilkyWay Train
Date : August 13th
Description : Observing the sky with a
telescope and discover the constellations
with astronomers as guide in this neverending map. Traditional tales, hot wine
and onion soup on the way back.
Spaniard Train
Date : September 9th
Description : Journée placée sous le
thème de la péninsule ibérique. Flamenco,
tapas et bien d’autres animations seront
au rendez-vous.
Grape Harvest Train
Date : September 15th
Description : It is time to pick the grapes
that will make such a good wine. Winetasting day of Jurançon. Sampling and
local market of wine and also Pyrenean
goat cheese.
Hiking Train
Shooting Stars Train.
Date : September 30th
Description : New trail starting from the
valley and arriving to the Lake where
there will be fresh supplies for the runers
that will come back by train.
Date : August 11th
Description : Get your wishes reading for
Cheese Festival Train
that night where shooting stars show will
be unique with astronomers to explain
this incredible phenomenon. Traditional
tales, hot wine and onion soup on the way
back.
Date : October 6th & 7th
Description : Throughout the cheese
festival, a special 80th anniversary stand
will be set in Laruns. Shuttle bus leaving
Laruns, « Cheese Festival » package
featuring a sampling, shuttle ticket and
train ticket will be sold there.
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
6
Anniversary Display
The 80th anniversary will be marked by a special display that shows the train
evolution from Laruns until Artouste putted on the factories. A display will be
settled from the beginning to the top of the Valley to bring you into the Little
Train Adventure.
Affichage 4X3 à Gère-Belesten
Logo des 80 ans.
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
7
FICHE 3 : ARTOUSTE LITLLE TRAIN FROM
CONSTRUCTION TO TODAY.
History
The dam construction of Artouste, the highest building in the entire Valley
hydroelectric Ossau requires an exceptional
project in
the
1920s. More
than 2,000workers and tons of material are transported to nearly 2000
m. Following this project, the Ossau Valley becomes one of the largest sites
of hydroelectric power generation in France.
Des ouvriers installent une conduite forcée © photo
Archives SHEM
La voie est tracée à flanc de montagne© photo : archives SHEM
The construction of this hydroelectric leads firstly the construction of a
cable whose departure station is in front of the hydroelectric factory of Artouste.
It provides access to the Pico Sagette after a climb of 800 meters. To pass into
the neighbouring valley of Soussouéou, a tunnel is excavated 318 meters into the
mountain. The workers then draw on the mountainside, a mule track of 10
kilometres. However the site needs require modern means. Company du Midi,
the ancestor of SHEM, decided to build the Train to facilitate the transport of
men and material.
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
8
1921: The Birth of the Train
The first rails were laid along the mule track. As the work only last during summer,
it will take three years to the way that is fully built.
1924: The Little Train is finally on track
1929: Work completed.
Company du Midi decided to table the way, forgetting that go into the dam to
maintain it. After using mules to carry heavy items, the Company du Midi is
based track.
1932 : The Little Train become Tourist Train
The little train is open to the public on request of the prefecture. The Little Train
runs only on Sundays in July and August. Two to three cars provide round trips.
1940-1945: The Little Train is stopped
The area being declared strategic exploitation of the railway is suspended.
1947: The hydroelectric facilities is expanding thanks to Train
The tourism operation resumes. New equipment can be transported more
tourists.The way is open daily in July and August.
1957: With a new cab The cable carries more than 300 people per hour.
1963: The Little Train is modernizing.
The old locomotives are replaced by machines more suitable: the Billiards. The
old rails are replaced by new ones laid on metal sleepers and ballast *.
* crushed stone layer that maintain and subject the railway track sleepers.
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
9
1967: The Little Train passes its first star
The municipality of Laruns decides to install a ski resort on his land altitude. Skiers
borrow the cable then the Train to get to the slopes. For this winter operation, the
cars are converted to transport skiers. Specially built for the occasion, a snow
plow clears the snow that can sometimes reach over 3 meters high.
1967: The Little Train passes its first star
The municipality of Laruns decides to install a ski resort on his land altitude. Skiers
borrow the cable then the Train to get to the slopes. For this winter operation, the
cars are converted to transport skiers. Specially built for the occasion, a snow
plow clears the snow that can sometimes reach over 3 meters high.
1968: The Little Train Passes The 30,000 travelers
1983: The Little Train receives over 100,000 visitors
A cable car to replace the cable Fabrèges Artouste still active for industrial
maintenance. It carries up to 12 hours by 00 people against 300 for the cable.
Tourist traffic explodes: 130,000 visitors a year. The line is often saturated and
operation should be extended later in the evening to bring everyone home
safely.
1991: The construction of buildings altitude with panoramic restaurant
2006: The Little Train is getting a makeover
Worn by 40 years of intensive service, the Train to be revised. SHEM investing $ 1.5
million for maintenance and upgrading. In a spring, 14 locomotives and 60 cars
are restored.
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
10
Current Management
A set built hydroelectric power through Train hydroelectric power generation is a
flagship activity of the Ossau Valley in parallel of pastoralism and tourism. For over
100 years, SHEM produces clean energy and 100% renewable water through the
valley.
The
hydroelectric
complex
starts at 2000 meters above sea
level with the dam Artouste
and the first hydroelectric
factory installed under the
dam. Water turbines is a first
time joined by the waters of
other dams. These waters are
then turbinate several times by
other plants located along the
Gave
d'Ossau:
Artouste
Miègebat the HOURAT to name
the main plants.
Groupement d’usine d’Artouste situé sous le barrage de Fabrèges.
This set can produce hydroelectric power 586 GWh of electricity, equivalent to
the annual consumption of the population of a city like Bordeaux. Thus, 50,396
tons of oil are saved and hydropower generation avoids the release of 522,126
tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.
All hydroelectric facilities is regularly maintained in order to respond quickly to
requests for electricity during peak periods. It allows to avoid an area of load
shedding throughout the French electricity network.
This maintenance is done internally by employees of SHEM who wanted to keep
its own maintenance shop in Laruns. This workshop
will keep in Southwest Region expertise in high-level
areas as diverse as mechanics, electricity, welding
or machining. Many young people are formed
alternately. Armed with its know-how, personnel
maintenance shop can work on all installations of
SHEM.
Lac de Castet.
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
11
Through these facilities, SHEM also contributes to the
water supply municipalities Laruns and Buzy. She leads with AAPPMA and "Fishing
64" (CG), different actions for the protection of aquatic environments to help
achieve the European objective of
good ecological status of water
bodies in 2015. Finally, it contributes
to the sporting life and tourism in the
valley by providing, from June to
October, water releases for water
sports (kayaking, canyoning) and
providing water for the facility snow
ski Resort Artouste.
Usine du Hourat, à Laruns © photo : SHEM
Since 2006, the manager is Altiservice Train Artouste.
SHEM retains ownership and is still used for
maintenance of the dam lake of Artouste group.
Artouste is also a ski resort in winter as directed by
the company Altiservice as five other areas of the
Pyrenees: Saint-Lary, Artouste Guzet, Luchon and
Font Romeu.
Atelier à Laruns © photo : SHEM
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
12
CARD 4 : A TOURIST TRAIN
Pyrenees wonders
Upon arrival of the train, you can admire the lake altitude of Artouste that
houseswithin its 120 meters deep trout and Arctic char.
At the surface of the lake reflected the Pallas Pics's (tallest mountain at
2,900 meters), Ariel and Lurien.
The arrival of the train station is the starting point for many hikes you can:
• Walk to the lake (about 30 minutes to go).
• Walk along the lake and walk on the dam (about 30 minutes walk, easy
access).
• Move to shelter Arrémoulit (about 1:45, snacks at the shelter, phone 06 71 05 24
37)
• Join the Tena Valley in Spain by taking the path of the smugglers in their
tracksnext time a day.
• Set out to explore the Valley Soussouéou. Surrounded by the famous peaks of
the Pic du Midi d'Ossau, the valley contains a rich and preserved nature.
The visit by train can also meet people sometimes
unexpected: chamois,marmots, vultures, vultures, eagles and other
raptors Pyrenees. This is also the time to rediscover the
traditions pastoral with cows, sheep and sheep.
All this amidst a preserved environment plant rhododendrons, irises, wild
fruits(strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), mountain ash, spruce, beech ...
All the walks through the territory of the Pyrenees National Park.
Marmotte © photo : CAZALE
Arnica © photo : CAZALE
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
13
Location
At the heart of the Ossau Valley, 1 hour and 30 minutes from Pau Panticosa in
Spain. From Pau the road goes through the valley, along the beautiful Ossau stream,
cross the departure of the vineyards and green countryside Jurançon but soon the
landscape becomes more mountainous to finally see the Pic du Midi d'Ossau which
imposes its
mass superbly with
the
surrounding
landscapes.Suddenly,
the
dam Fabrèges stands
before you, a
few
more turns
and you
canadmire its
54 hectares. The train progresses in the heart of a landscape from which flow waterfalls
and stand the dizzying cliffs Arrouy
Acces
By Car
From Bordeaux to Pau A65. From Pau, follow the RN134 towards Zaragoza, Gan,
then follow Laruns, then direction Artouste
By Bus
The General Council set up to 64 buses that connect to Pau Laruns every day.
Hours: Tourist Office Laruns.
By Train
TGV Paris - Bordeaux - Pau Bus connection from the station of Pau. Info and
Schedules TER Aquitaine Service on 0800 872 872 and www.sncf.fr
By Plane
Pau airport-Uzein France to 50km. www.pau.aeroport.fr
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
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Schedule and prices
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
15
Take the train:
• Have at least 3:50 tour.
• Arrive at least 30 minutes before the tour chosen.
• 30-minute cable car round trip.
• 1:40 train ride round trip.
• Break least 1:40 at the lake.
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
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Contacts
• Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Altiservice Artouste
Village de Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Stéphanie LACROIX
Tel : + 33 (0) 6 80 74 65 13
Stephanie.lacroix@altiservice.com
• If you want to visit SHEM hydroelectric factory :
Sophie LE SCAON
Tel : + 33 (0) 6 79 51 67 94
Sophie.Lescaon@shem.fr
Le Petit Train en gare de départ © photo : Altiservice
Le Petit Train d’Artouste
Fabrèges
64440 LARUNS
Tél : +33 (0) 5 59 05 36 99 – artouste@altiservice.com.
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