DISCOVERY
Cap Ferret is a peninsula at the end of a barrier beach which separates the Atlantic Ocean from Arcachon Bay. This natural site has always attracted visitors and residents, and dwellings began to be built there from the early XXth century, despite the remoteness of the area and the its tricky access. In the early 1950s, Jacques Millet, a young railfan who was staying at Arcachon for health reasons, went off exploring the remains of vanished railways (built in the late 19th century) on the peninsula. Once cured, he returned to settle in Cap Ferret and devoted the rest of his life to resurrecting the erswtwhile rail connection between Bélisaire and the ocean.
The route
With help from an investor, and having obtained the necessary administrative permissions, work started and the track was relaid alongside the existing streets of the site, which at the timewith the onslaught of wind and ocean, the line has remained in continuous operation since its opening. When its founder died, the town hall took over operations before putting an operator in charge. The train runs on 60cm gauge track. The journey ends near the ocean, just above the beach. Trains travel at a modest speed not exceeding 12 kp/h, dropping even to 3kp/h when running through certains specific locations.
