Steam Train Rides in the Upper Sarthe
(Pays de la Loire)
For steam train enthusiasts, or those simply looking for something a little out of the ordinary to do, the Sarthe Steam Railway (run by Transvap, a group of amateurs who care for and restore the locomotives) is open for Sunday trips from this weekend and is just half an hour from us.

“La Ligne des Ducs” – the Line of the Dukes
The steam train “La Cheronne” dating from 1923 travels the length of the Jousse valley on part of the old railway line from Mamers to Saint-Calais. It was originally funded by the lords of the region from which it gets the name “the Line of the Dukes.” It is a nostalgic journey of 17km through the Perche countryside, the route from Connerré to Bonnétable passing through Beillé, Tuffé and Prévelles.
The Transvap group also has a collection of other steam trains undergoing restoration, historic electric railcars, pre-war buses adapted for rail use in the 1930’s, railway wagons and coaches.
As well as the steam train, post-war “Billard” and “Picasso” motorised railcars (“autorails) also run the route on Sundays.
The trains run every Sunday in July and August to a regular timetable and one ticket is valid for the whole day, which means you can hop on and off different trains at the station halts. They also run on 14th July and 15th August (the summer national holidays).
Reservations not required: tickets are 11€ for adults, 9€ for children (2012).

At Tuffé you can also visit the Tuffé Priory; the priory house, cloisters (hosting a pottery workshop), the pigeon house, the barn and gardens are free for self-guided visits (2€ guided visits). Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m in July and August.
Train Timetable
1st Train : AUTORAIL
Station | Arrive | Depart |
|
---|---|---|---|
OUT | Connerré Beillé – Transvap | 10h30 | |
Tuffé town | 10h44 | 10h45 | |
Tuffé lake | 10h48 | 10h50 | |
Prévelles | 11h00 | 11h01 | |
Bonnétable | 11h21 | ||
9 minute halt | |||
BACK | Bonnétable | 11h30 | |
Prévelles | 11h50 | 11h51 | |
Tuffé lake | 12h01
2 hour lunch |
14h00 | |
Tuffé town | 14h03 | 14h04 | |
Connerré Beillé – Transvap | 14h18 |
2nd Train : AUTORAIL
Gare | Arrive | Depart |
|
---|---|---|---|
OUT | Connerré Beillé – Transvap | 11h45 | |
Tuffé town | 11h59 | 12h00 | |
Tuffé lake | 12h03 | ||
5 minute halt | |||
BACK | Tuffé lake | 12h08 | |
Tuffé town | 12h11 | 12h12 | |
Connerré Beillé – Transvap | 12h26 |
3rd Train : STEAM
Gare | Arrive | Depart |
|
---|---|---|---|
OUT | Connerré Beillé – Transvap | 15h00 | |
Tuffé town | 15h24 | 15h25 | |
Tuffé lake | 15h29 | 15h35 | |
Prévelles | 15h52 | 15h54 | |
Bonnétable | 16h15 | ||
30 minute halt | |||
BACK | Bonnétable | 16h45 | |
Prévelles | 17h09 | 17h15 | |
Tuffé lake | 17h27 | 18h00 | |
Tuffé town | 18h04 | 18h05 | |
Connerré Beillé – Transvap | 18h25 |