La Rhune and its Little Train

La Rhune ! This name resonates throughout the Basque Country ! Who has never heard of this mountain linking Navarre and Labourd ?! Who has never dreamed of boarding the little train and admiring a 360° panorama of the Basque lands, the Landes and the Atlantic Ocean ?!

As you can see, my destination for the day is La Rhune, located not far from the typical little village of Sare and departing from the Saint-Ignace train station.

It is also possible to go up on foot by two paths starting from Ascain or Saint-Ignace, with a return by train with a single ticket depending on the availability of places. 

There are departures every 40 minutes, the journey takes 35 minutes. I take the first trip, at 9:30. While waiting for my train, I notice that it is possible to download a mobile application to discover the Rhune in an interactive way: orientation table, games from 4 years old with the pottok, from 7 years old on the theme of legends... young and old have fun, it's perfect for good times with the family ! The weather is even displayed at the reception, I know what to expect at the top!

The cogwheel train arrives, it is getting ready to take us up to 905 meters above sea level ! I love these little trains, they are full of charm, I dive back into another era. In 2019, the train will celebrate its 95th anniversary... if that isn't beautiful, what is!

Once comfortably installed, head turned towards the large openings, with the impatience of a little girl who knows that her journey is going to be extraordinary! Here we go! Without any noise, I see the first movements of the little train, a little voice resonates in the carriages and I learn, during the journey, the history of the Rhune, the establishment of the little train and its purely touristic character. The text is translated into French, Basque and Spanish !

The higher I go, the more I admire the sublime panoramas : mountain slopes, rocks, streams, dense and diverse vegetation, horses, the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz … The colors of the freshly risen morning are superb, there is a little mist giving a little mystery to the place, as if nature was communicating with us, sending us a message! I see the wonder in the eyes of my comrades in the carriage, from 7 to 110 years old, the look is the same: we do not move, open-mouthed and the only sound that comes out is: whoaah !! The music broadcast in the carriages is also full of emotion… it is difficult not to crack in front of such beautiful things!!!

Arriving at the top of La Rhune, the expression " to have your head in the clouds " takes on its full meaning! La Rhune is also like playing the lottery: if there is fog, it is difficult to see the landscape all around. Certain times are good, like in the afternoon, but the morning colors are so pretty... It's up to you! Everyone has fun, looking for a piece of land, when there is fog. As soon as the wind clears the clouds, everyone shouts " it's moving, quickly, come!!! ". Tongues loosen, I talk to my neighbor, we share the same adventure in a way!

La Rhune also has a few shops offering visitors a range of souvenirs: Basque linen, clothing, handbags, jewellery, etc. and all the other great products that can be found on the border between France and Spain. There are also several restaurants, mostly focused on snacking : sandwiches at €3.50 with Basque products (cold meats, cheese, pâté, etc.) or the hiker's plate at €13 to discover a range of Basque flavours while admiring a unique landscape that changes over the hours!

The departure time is approaching, I head towards the waiting room before my train arrives. Inside, I can read several panels about Basque culture, in particular about the pottok : its anatomy, its culture, its origin… it's ideal for waiting without seeing the time pass! The wonder is the same during the descent, I don't want to put a foot on the ground!

La Rhune is for me the unmissable place in the Basque Country, a bit like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Capitole in Toulouse ! You have to go up there at least once and discover these unique landscapes ! It's another world up there, far from the daily grind! There's only nature and you, a legendary land formed several thousand years ago, in continual evolution! It's an ideal outing for everyone : friends, families, couples !

Have a good trip !

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