Lézard rouge, Tourist train in Gafsa Governorate, Tunisia
Lézard Rouge is a tourist train that travels through the Selja Gorges in southern Tunisia. The route covers about 43 kilometers between Metlaoui and Redeyef, passing through rock tunnels and mountain terrain.
The train was built between 1911 and 1926 by French workshops and originally served the Bey of Tunis during the French protectorate period. The railway line was first created to transport phosphate from the mountain region.
The train passes through a region where the landscape speaks of the area's geology and human settlement patterns over time. Travelers experience how this valley connects different communities in the Gafsa region.
It is best to travel during daytime hours to fully see the landscape through the windows. Comfortable clothing is recommended since the journey lasts several hours while seated in the carriages.
The train includes an original carriage built for the Beys that remains largely unchanged from when it was built. This historic car shows what luxury travel looked like in the early 20th century.
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