ESCAPES

   MYTHICAL YELLOW TRAIN OF PYRENEES ORIENTALES

France's unique geographical feature is the beauty of its natural spaces which are also very interesting to explore by venturing off the beaten track discover

its attractions , particularly during some journeys on typical trains , such as in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in the Occitanie region with the myhical Yellow Train which circulates in unique and majestic places expressing all the diversity of this radiant Catalan territory steeped in culture and history.

Created at the beginning of the 20th century and inaugurated on July 18, 1910, the Cerdagne line and its iconic Yellow Train came into being thanks to the efforts of JULES LAX who , during those pioneering years , was director of railway control for the Chemins de Fer du Midi (predecessor of the SNCF),and Emmanuel Brousse a journalist at L'Indépendant who was also an elected official for the upper cantons . Since the creation of this great and useful project particularly

within the framework of the opening up mountain cantons , including a meter-gauge railway supplemented by electric traction for trains,the YELLOW TRAIN also nicknamed the Canary and sporting the Catalan colors of yellow and red,it is operated by the SNCF and fully integrated into the TER network of the Occitanie region, running on a 63-kilometer line registered since 1^er FEBRUARY 2002 on the UNESCO WORLD Heritage Tentative List . An active symbol of the région's

vibrant cultural and heritage scene, and also a traveling Catalan ambassador, the road of the Yellow Train traveling at a

speed of 30 km/h, serves 21 stations , going from Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol , following the Têt valley while traversing the Cerdagne plateau in the heights of the Pyrénées-Orientales and this on a journey with an elevation

gain of over more of 1000 meters , right into the heart of majestic natural landscapes expressing all the beauty of this radiant territory located in the southeastern part of the Occitanie region,which one never tires of discovering and which it is a pleasure to admire comfortably seated, particularly in open-air carriages that offer superb views of the Pyrénées

massifs , particularly those of Canigo , Cambre d'Aze or Carlit , before discovering along the route its 650 engineering structures including 19 tunnels and 40 bridges,the most remarkable of which are the Fontpédrouse Viaduct or Séjourné Viaduct and also the Gisclard bridge,which is a metal bridge certified as the oldest railway suspension bridge in France and classified as a monument since April 29, 1997, these 2 structures bearing the names of their talented designers.

An Unusual and Unforgettable Experience

This vibrant territory, which is a pleasure to explore all year round,also possesses an architectural and cultural heritage

beautifully preserved, a testament to our history that we encounter during stops and breaks along the road as in Thuès

Carança , Font Romeu or Joucet , just as you would visit the Abbey of Saint Martin du Canigou before strolling through charming villages such as Villefranche-de-Conflent , Eus or Castelnou , with their narrow streets dotted with brightly

colored flowers, complemented by artisans who warmly welcome you in their stalls and shops expressing all the great

welcoming and love of a job well done that characterize the men and women from the OCCITANIE region particularly

during the European Artistic Crafts Days which take place every year during the first week of April as during the actual

and usual European Heritage Days on the 3rd^th September weekend of each year . Staying in the Pyrénées-Orientales

It's also about discovering its gastronomic heritage and enjoying the pleasures of the table, in addition to the fact that

we are in a region renowned for its gastronomy, which can be enjoyed in good restaurants such as local producers of

good regional products that we encounter in their shops or at markets and who make a pleasure to introduce you and

let you taste local specialties such as Catalan sausage and ham from the mountains, the famous rosquilles which are

delicious soft biscuits, just like Cargolada or the Picolat's bowls and for lovers of wine tourism and good wines nothing

beats following the Wine road of Roussillon,which will allow you to appreciate,between land and sea, very good wines

with a protected designation of origin( PDO).This great territory is fascinating and surprising because it delights nature lovers, sports enthusiasts, and those who appreciate wide open spaces closer to nature in its purest form, great history

enthusiasts will appreciate its rich and diverse heritage and past and the artists who love colors expressed both in the

broad daylight and at sunrise or sunset on its plains, valleys and majestic mountains imbued with some emotion make

a getaway to the Pyrenees Orientales with the Yellow Train an unusual and unforgettable experience.

Report by: Gabriel PAGE

Photos credit: Gabriel PAGE / Getty Images