Gare de Boucieu-le-Roi

Situated at the foot of the village of Boucieu-le-Roi, one of the most beautiful villages in the Ardèche and classified as a "village de caractère", the station retains all the charm of a 19th-century country railway stop. Since 1891, it has been serving this village nicknamed "the village of a thousand secrets", the former capital of the Haut-Vivarais region, which owes its name to Philippe le Bel. Near the station and spanning the Doux river, the King's Bridge, built in 1291 and listed as a historic monument, is one of the jewels inherited from the commune's rich past. Overlooking the railway station and the old Roman road, the Maison du Bailli is also a witness to this past: this beautiful house, with its corbelled turret, was the seat of the royal court of justice. The village was deeply influenced by Pierre Vigne (1670-1740), a missionary priest from the Vivarais region, whose tomb is in the church. Pierre Vigne was beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II. Tip: a family treasure hunt combines a treasure hunt with riddles!

The Boucieu-le-Roi railway station is the only departure point for the Gorges du Doux velorails. These pedal-powered "railcars" have 5 seats, with room for 2 pedal-pushers in the front and up to 3 passengers in the back. To pedal, passengers must be over 1.40 m tall, and children must be accompanied by an adult at the front. For safety
safety reasons, children under 9 kg are not allowed on our velorails. For children over 9 kg, an adapted car seat can be installed by our team (reservation required). Three routes are available: 8 km, 12 km and 20 km. Given the line's profile, the ascent is always by railcar, and the descent by velorail!

The Boucieu-le-Roi station is also an obligatory stop for the Mastrou, the famous steam train linking Tournon Saint Jean de Muzols to Lamastre. The locomotive needs to refuel before continuing its journey. So you can reach the village without a car, enjoying a 20 km/h journey that's ideal for marvelling at the wild landscapes of the Gorges du Doux (otherwise inaccessible!) in the heart of a Sensitive Natural Area renowned for its biodiversity. During the summer months, 1930s railcars also run from Lamastre, and the weekly Market Train combines business with pleasure at low prices.

Boucieu-le-Roi station is home to the Sauvegarde et Gestion de Véhicules Anciens association, which has been supporting the Vivarais train since 1969. Volunteers work together to restore historic vehicles, most of which are over a hundred years old, and pass on railway techniques and know-how to younger generations. Locomotives, locotractors, wagons and passenger carriages are presented to the public, notably during the European Heritage Days.