The Yellow Train

For your information, the nominal transport plan is provided until Friday 05 November inclusive.
In order not to generate an invitation to travel when the population is reconfigured, there will be no Yellow Train traffic on weekends. However, a bus service will be provided. All ticket offices on the line will be closed on Saturday and Sunday.

The Yellow Train will run from Monday to Friday, with a return trip between Villefranche and Latour de Carol (17301-23006) in order to ensure a minimum of public service during the week.
The counters will be kept on the time slot corresponding to the passage of trains.

Outbound: Departure from Villefranche at 9:37 a.m. and arrival at Latour de Carol at 12:31 p.m. (passage to Font Romeu at 11:16 a.m.).
Return: Departure from Latour de Carol at 3.35 p.m. and arrival in Villefranche at 6.27 p.m. (passage through Font Romeu at 4.51 p.m.).


A symbol of Catalonia, bearing the region’s colours of dark red and yellow, the Yellow Train, also known as the ‘Canary’, links Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol. Initially built to open up the Catalan plateaus, today it offers a unique experience to travellers who take it to discover Conflent, Cerdagne and the Regional Nature Reserve of the Catalan Pyrenees. As you travel between stations, you will discover the Têt valley, the mountain landscapes, the high Cerdan plateaus, exceptional cultural sites and areas of great natural beauty, perfect for hiking in.

The Yellow Train, technical prowess

Built at the start of the century, the Yellow Train line was originally conceived to link the high Catalan plains to the rest of the district. Initial works were undertaken in 1903 and, by 1910, a link had been created between Villefranche de Conflent and Mont-Louis. The definitive line was finished in 1927, reaching Latour de Carol. In order to build this route, no less than 650 works of art were constructed, including 19 tunnels and two remarkable bridges, the Séjourné Viaduct and the Gisclard suspension bridge (65 metres above the ground), thus blending the Yellow Train with the terrain it traversed.  

Today, the Yellow Train is mainly a tourist attraction and transports 400,000 passengers per year.

Travel by Yellow Train

During the summer season, you will be able to appreciate the magnificent mountain landscapes in the open wagons, which will offer you an exceptional panorama. And in winter, a whole other panorama awaits you, a landscape covered with white.

The Yellow train, which runs all year round, departs from Villefranche-de-Conflent. During the summer you can appreciate the spectacular mountain landscapes from open carriages, which offer you exceptional views. 

This 63 km-long train line serves 22 stations, including Bolquère at 1,596 metres (5,236 ft) above sea level, which makes it the highest metric line railway in France. At a maximum speed of 55 km per hour, the Yellow Train passes from an altitude of 427 metres to 1,231 metres. It is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the environment and spectacular mountainous terrain.

You will find  information at all of our Tourist Offices, including timetables, which are essential for this unique form of transport. 

You can also contact the Villefranche-de-Conflent train station on +33 04 68 96 63 62 or visit the website at www.TER-sncf.com .

Advice + 

During the summer the Yellow Train is very busy so it is recommended that you arrive at least thirty minutes before departure to buy your ticket, as it is not possible to book.

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