Funiculaire de Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet, Mountain funicular in Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet, France.
The funicular of Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet is a mountain railway in the Chartreuse Regional Nature Park that spans 1,480 meters and climbs 600 meters in elevation. The system connects the lower station to the higher plateau while providing access to hiking trails and viewpoints across the mountainside.
The system was built in 1924 to serve several tuberculosis treatment centers located at the summit. These sanatoriums relied on the isolated mountain setting as part of their healing approach.
The Icare Laboratory museum sits near the funicular station and hosts exhibitions about flight and air sciences through interactive displays. Visitors can explore the history of aviation and the science behind it.
The funicular offers free bicycle transport, allowing cyclists to bring their bikes up to explore the plateau trails without effort. Plan your visit on clear days for the best views from the mountain heights.
The railway features an extraordinary gradient of 83 percent, making it one of Europe's steepest funicular systems. This extreme incline creates a remarkable experience for those who enjoy viewing dramatic elevation changes.
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