" St-Trojan’s Touristic Train " was imagined in 1959 by Doctor Pol Gala, a military doctor whose passion was the railroad. It is the transformation of the former 0.60 m railway running from Royan to Ronce-les-Bains. Initially, its project was to transform the whole line that had been stopped a few years earlier. But the building of a touristic road along the coast won Doctor Pol Gala’s dream over. Pol Gala did not give up and thought of the ideal place where the soul of the little train of Ronce could live again. Thus, Oléron and Saint-Trojan were chosen…

 Going through administrative difficulties to bring the project to life, construction began in 1962. The Touristic Tram of St-Trojan as it used to be called, was open to the public for the first time on June 29th 1963. At that time, the line was only going from Saint-Trojan to Gasteau and its route was somewhat different from the present one, especially in its first part. Actually, the railway ran along the road now going from Saint-Trojan to the horse riding center of Les Brys. Traffic had become too heavy and the road too dangerous by the proximity with the railway. Therefore, a new sketch was drawn and built for the line in the 1970s, running further north, through a clean environment and the forest, making the route far more pleasant and picturesque. The initial rail from Saint-Trojan to Les Brys was abandoned and the rail taken out. The new route found a hill on its way; two rather slopes, something rather surprising in this insular landscape. The slope of Les Brys, located just before the station of the same name, reaches 20mm/m, therefore demanding a considerable effort from the Billard locomotive, especially in the fall when the railway becames greasy and slippery out of leaves and rain. 

     Between 1963 and 1965, construction to extend the line was carried on. In July 1965, the railway reached the Côte Sauvage and Pertuis de Maumusson. The first terminus station, at the Grande Dune, lays 500 m under the ocean. In fact, natural erosion of the Atlantic Ocean makes the ocean move back from west to east, and the ocean has found back the place where it laid a hundred years ago when the natural movement of the land was from westward. This erosion is interesting in the way it makes the station of Maumusson the only French station which was completely rebuilt 22 times in 45 years !

     A 6.0 km line – the French longest 0.60 m railway going through woods
The train goes diagonally through the south of the island and its forest, along the Baie de Gasteau to the imposing dunes of the coast and the 11 km-long beach of Maumusson.

     From the station of Saint-Trojan to the south of Ile d’Oléron, on Camille Samson road, the Little Train of St-Trojan will lead you on a 13 km-round trip to the wild confines of Pertuis de Maumusson where you will discover beautiful landscapes of sand and pine trees inaccessible by the road.

By summertime, the Little Train of Saint-Trojan combines the pleasures of beach day-trips, sun-bathing and walks in a natural environment. The journey is an invitation to discover the rich environment of our forest. If you’re being watchful, you may see a roe deer running across the railway through the woods or a razorback walking away. You will glance at the yellow of wild everlasting flowers in the dunes between Gasteau and Maumusson.

On Mondays in July and August, the Little Train of Saint-Trojan welcome you to an enchanting journey with its programme called " Sunset Trains " (2-hour long). It is an enchanting programme where the Little Train will lead you to Maumusson right on time for you to observe the sunset…. and to discover Jules Vernes’ famous Grenn Ray of Light ! When the sun has disappeared in the ocean, a local strory-teller will enchant you with stories, legends ans songs from the Oléron county. STTST, our train company specially opens one of its cars for food testing and refreshments. Passengers will ride back at night. What a wonderful journey ! The train is lit by dozens of color spot lights which cover the forest of a bewitching happy halo. The Sunset Trains is a Must-Do !

Before and after the season the Little Train of Saint-Trojan is like heaven for lovers at any age, an awakening to the surrounding ornitological and botanical environment, for example through trips for students. These are more poetic journeys where you can take plenty of time to wander about.

Whatever the season you come, you will be wecomed and we’ll answer to all your questions about the Little Train. For techniticities about the railroad or the locomotive, our driver will be glad to answer you. Do not hesitate to ask ! Some of them are fond of miniature (and real-size) trains, and your questions will delight them.