Les Avants–Sonloup railway, Funicular railway in Les Avants, Switzerland

The Les Avants–Sonloup funicular is a metre-gauge line opened in 1912 that runs 515 m at a right angle to the Montreux–Lenk im Simmental line, climbing 184 m at a gradient of up to 54% to Sonloup. It has always operated with two electrically powered cars, the descending car acting as a counterweight, and the machinery is housed in the upper station. The cars are the original Belle Époque carriages.

The Les Avants–Sonloup funicular opened on 14 December 1912, built by Von Roll, and has run on metre gauge track ever since. It was electrified from the outset, with the machinery housed in the upper station at Sonloup. The two cars have always worked as a counterweight pair, the descending car helping to pull the ascending one.

The line's name comes from its two termini: Les Avants, on the Montreux–Lenk im Simmental line, and Sonloup above it. In spring the meadows near the summit flower with narcissus and forget-me-nots, the peak season for walkers taking the car up.

The journey takes about six minutes with each car seating around 40 passengers on wooden benches inside. The lower station sits right next to the train station, making it easy to find and access without complicated navigation.

The line still runs on its original Belle Époque carriages, and the machinery sits in the upper station at Sonloup. The two cars are permanently coupled by cable, the descending one acting as counterweight to pull the other up the 54% gradient.