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Chemin de Fer á Crémaillére de Mont-Revard

Chemin de Fer á Crémaillére de Mont-Revard (The Mont Revard Railway) was a historic rack railway in the Savoie region of France. It was designed to connect Aix-les-Bains to the summit of Mont Revard, a mountain overlooking Lake Bourget and offering spectacular views of the Alps. The railway was inaugurated in 1892 after four years of work. It was an ambitious project aimed at promoting tourism in Aix-les-Bains, a popular spa town at the time. The line had a total length of 9 kilometers, of which 7 kilometers were rack railways. The route began at Trevignin station (near Aix-les-Bains) and climbed to the summit of Mont Revard, at an altitude of 1,537 meters. The rack system used was the Abt system, which was particularly suited to steep slopes. At its peak, the railway mainly transported tourists manly in summer in search of spectacular landscapes. The summit of Mont Revard offered a unique panorama, sometimes nicknamed the "balcony of the Alps". Despite its initial success, the line was gradually competed with by other means of transport, such as roads for automobiles. The last commercial operation of the railway dates back to 1935. The rack railway was dismantled and replaced by a cable car 1935-1970. Although the railway and cable car have disappeared, Mont Revard remains a popular destination for tourists and winter sports enthusiasts. Some traces of the railway route and period facilities still exist and are part of the local heritage.

December 9th 2024

 

 
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