Funiculaire d'Évian-les-Bains, Heritage railway line in Évian-les-Bains, France.
The Funiculaire d'Évian-les-Bains is a rack railway connecting the lakeside town with elevated areas above, using a 750-meter track with five stations along the way. An underground section of about 140 meters runs beneath the town to navigate the steep terrain.
Construction took place between 1907 and 1913, with electric power driving the system to move guests between mineral springs and grand hotels throughout the thermal resort era. Operations ended in 1969 when travel patterns changed.
The stations display decorative earthenware tiles that show how thermal resort guests experienced travel during the early 20th century. These tiles remain visible along the route and reflect the architectural choices of that era.
The best time to visit is from late April through mid-September when the railway operates regularly. During this season, cars run every 20 minutes throughout the day, though there is a break around midday for maintenance.
Each of the two cars is divided into five separate compartments and carries up to 60 passengers at a time. Riders get unexpected views of Lake Geneva and the surrounding landscape during their journey uphill.
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