Tram and VAL Tour de France (with pics)

[kcp]

Bonjour,

for my big vacation a few years ago year I chose a "Tour de France". Amongst a lot of cathedrals and other sights, I visited two VAL-Métros and several trams all around the country. The tour started in Lille in northern France

Tram

The tram network consists of two lines (R, T). Both start at a below ground station next to "Lille Flandres" railway station. The lines run to Roubaix (R) and Tourcing (T). Two trams with different paint jobs (old and refurbished) wait at Lille Flandres for their next run.

The underground section covers two stations, then the lines continue above ground

This tram in Tourcing will return to Lille in a few minutes

View from a bridge near stop "Buisson"

Métro

The Métro has two lines too. It is fully automated and uses rubber-tired VAL rolling stock. The platform door shield the tracks until the train arrives. Sight from within a train.

Platform view at stop "Les Pres"

Impression taken in the vicinity of "Les Pres".

As the 2-coach VAL trains cannot cope with the ridership anymore, extension works are in progress to allow usage of longer train. The Frensh version of "Your tax dollars at work"

The VAL trains are pretty narrow.

Always a nice motif: Métro and green. Train on a bridge that spans over the former goods station "St Saveur"

Some more mixed VAL impression taken around the city

The yard at terminal station "Quatre Canton"

The car park next to the station offered a view from above on the trains turning around to head back into town.

Tram Touristique

The the suburb of Marquette an old tram line (AMITRAm) runs alone the Deûle. The depot in Marquette.

A round-trip ticket costs 5€. For the money you get a 2km in old, rattling rolling stock. The guys that run the line told me that the overhead wiring gets stolen from time to time. This year they at to put a lot of effort to get most of the line back into business for the summer tourist season. When I was there, this tram was in service

A tram, a river (its more a canal): Perfect setting.

Misc Stiff

To wrap this up, some mixed impressions form different corners of the city. The "Tour de Lille" of the roof of TGV-/Eurostar-/Thalys-Station "Lille Europe"

A look downt unto the platform. The doors leading to the stairs can be locked. This feature is used, when Eurostar trains stop here to avoid passengers getting unto the train without being screened.

The walls in Métro stop Europe are a giant artwork

In Lille classic architecture

meets modern architecture

One of my favourites: The hotel at Europe-station at sunset

The cathedral "Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille de Lille" is one of the youngest chatedrals in France. Construction started in the 19. century und and was finished in the 90s of the 20. century (by putting the modern facade in place)

On the inside classic and mordern elements mix

Last but not least: A bit of green (picture taken on the outskirts of the park that surounds the Citadelle)

 

[kcp]

Part two of my Tour de France report is a compilation of pictures of two trips that I made while staying in Lille: I went to Rouen and Valciennes.

Valenciennes

Valenciennes is just a 45min train ride away from Lille

The tram network consists of two lines. Both lines start at the same station and part ways after passing through downtown. I did not like the paint job of the trams that mich. I was a bit too boring for my taste. Your take on the colour?

On the inside, they looked a bit better

Classic motif in Frensh cities: Tram in a roundabout (taken next to "Nungesser" station)

A bridge near "Anzin Hotel de Ville" offered a nice view from above

The tracks surrounding "Chemin Vert" ("green way") literally match the stations name.

Bridge "Pont Jacob" spans over the tracks of the rail station and the Schelde river

Impressions from Valenciennes railway station

An architectural marvel: The town hall

Rouen

The trip to Rouen took a bit longer: 3 hours both ways. For the outbound trip I used a direct TER. For the return I had to use Intercité and TGV services via Paris

As some stations are below the surface, the tram is called "Métro" (I will stick to tram ;-)). A tram at the stop below the railway station.

Just one word: "Vertigo":

The tram network has two lines (both named "M"). Both start at "Boulingrin". I will hop on this train heading to downtown in a few minutes.

Mixed tram impressions (as I cannot decipher my own hand writing, I cannot tell anymore where I took the pictures).

Trams passing the Seine river

The Seine without trams is nice too ;-)

A look into a tram

The no-frills station design

The cathedrals sticks out from the rest of the buildings

The facade was quite impressive

Want to refurbish your staircase and need some ideas? How about this?

Church St. Ouen was nice to look at too.

The clock tower ("Le Gros Horloge")

Outside view of Rouen railway station. On the inside there were some nice murals on the wall

A TER leaves the station

These two trips endet may stay in Lille, I packed my stuff and hopped on a train heading south.

 

[kcp]

the next stop of the tour was Tours (no pun intended ;-)). It's ideally located for several trips to neihbouring cities. Let's start with pictures taken in Tours and Orléans

Tours

Tours has one tram line. The design is quite unique and offers a contrast to usually round design used in new frensh tram networks. I liked the design: These angled, silver-grey trains have special vibe.

Silver tram and blue sky, thats all I need.

At dusk I started to recignize, how bright the lighting of trams was

In the city centre the tram uses APS to avoid overhead wiring.

Near station "Anatole France" a bridge spans across the Loire. This was my favourite spot for taking pictures

I guess everybody who travels to Tours for tram watchting, takes this pictures: A view from "Anatole France" across the bridge to the other side, where the tram climbs up a steep hill (and the flags give it a nice touch too).

Or do you prefer trams in the greens? No problem, Tours has this as well

The interieur seem to be a lot more fancy than usual

The "Cockpit"

The stripes on the floor of the station from a quite different perspective. These stripes do lead to the trams door

Tours railway station at dusk

The no-frill version to indicate where the different coaches will stop along the platform.

On the wall, there were mosaics of different cities. The SNCF is looking for patrons who will help financing the restauration of the mosaics. So if you have money to spare...

St Martin Basilica

The artwork at the tower of the former Collegiate St Martin pays tribute to bishop Martins good deed

In St Gatien Cathedral a whole window is dedicated to his life

Just one word: Wow.

And shot of the cathedral facade

As most medium sized frensh city has a cathedral, I was tempted to call the report series "Trams and Cathedrales". As I cannot pass by a cathedral without dropping in, I collected huge amounts of church and especially stain glass window pictures during this trip (luckily the memory card in my camera was huge enough to deal with it ;-)).

Orléans

Orléans has two tram lines. They intersect at "De Gaulle" station. Line A uses overhead wires

whereas line B rund using APS

The interieur design, is more or less business as usual

Tram of line B in front of the cathedral

The cathedral in all its glory

On the inside, a windows is dedicated to this special, young woman (who got pretty hot feet later on). Mind a guess?

Loire, Bridge, Tram

Or do you prefer Loire, Bridge, Tram and Cathedral?

Or just Loire and Cathedral?

A nice piece of modern architecture: The station of Orléans.

The bridge "Pont l'Europe"

And finally, chow time in the butterfly house of the "Parc Floral de la Source"

This concludes part three of my little Tour de France.

 

[kcp]

Welcome the fourth installment of my Tour de France: Angers und Le Mans.

Angers

Currently, Angers has one line. But expansion of the network in underway

The trams are white with colourful stripes. After leaving stop "Gares" this tram heads downtown.

A got this one jst in time before it "hid" behind the pole

Pictures from the vicinity of stop "Verbeau". The tracks on the right lead to the depot.

My favourite picture from Angers: Colourful tram under blue skies with some green and brown.

I cannot resist trams on bridges ;-).

Angers is another city that uses APS in the city centre. Additionally, trams have to single track between "Molière" and "Ralliement" stops

A view from afar on a tram approaching "Molière"

The cathedral St Maurice reside upon the hill

Nice mix of old stones and modern, see-through roof: The "Galerie David d'Angers"

A real eye-catcher: The Theatre

The sightseeing highlight in Anger: The Chateau. I went there a few years back, when I visited friends in Nantes. It houses a giant tapistry about the Apocalypse. This tapistry is worth a visit. So, when you are in Angers: Go and check it out.

In the mood for some relaxating with plants and water. Try "Jardin de Mail" gardens near the town hall.

As I knew Angers quite a bit from a former visit, I only went there for the tram. Later that day I hopped on a train to go to Le Mans.

Le Mans

Le Mans has two tram lines. For me, the paint job ranges somewhere between copper and rusty red. But with some green background, this looks pretty good (pictures taken near stop "St Martin").

Just two words: Tram and bridge. In the foreground the remains of a former stone bridge.

Pretty steep decent from stop "Republique" for line T1

or uphill climb from "Eperon Cité"

This stop is close to the old town, which has a quite a hughe number of little passage ways and narrow streets. Additionally, houses of different types of architecture. Strolling around there, it a lot fun. The best way for orientation: Look out for the cathedral.

Getting closer look

Inside, several awesome stain glass windows. I really took a liking to these little devils

The tram stop "Jacobin" of line T2 is close to the cathedral. This tram has just left the stop and heads towards the railway station.

The roof above the platforms of Le Mans station reminded me of tents

From Le Mans I went back to my hotel Tours and headed further south the next day

 

[kcp]

Bonjour,

next stop of the Tour de France: A fews days in Bordeaux.

Tram

My impression of the tram: Its a victim of its own success. The tram were pretty crowded. The APS power supply system that works without overhead wiring was originally developped for the tram in Bordeaux. The aim was to keep the archictural marvel of the city free of wires.

Tram impression from station "Hotel de Ville"

The tower of the cathedral St. André is few meters away from the building. It offers great view unto the cathderal

over the city

unto the court house (to me this look more like a bunch of silos than a goverment building)

Looking down unto the trams below

In "Buttinière" line A seperates in two branches. As there is a lot of green there, this made for some nice pictures.

Tram in front of the cathedral.

The tram passes the Garonne river via the "Pont de Pierre".

In the background the tower of church St Michel

In the church, there were several modern windows like this one of "The last supper"

The "Pont de Pierre" at night.

The "Place de la Bourse" offeres great architecture. Its great to look at day and night.

The theatre "Grand Theatre" at night.

One of the depots is near stop "Thier". Trams waiting for their next call of duty.

I call this "Portrait of a tram" ;-).

Tram of line B in a siding at "Bassin à Flot". Only every second train will continue further to the outskirts of the city. Fun fact: The tram passes over a lock. There are tracks on each gate of the lock, to keep the trams running, even if one gate to open to let a ship enter the lock.

Next to the stop the bridge "Pont Chaban Delmas". Its a vertical-lift bridge that can be opened to let ships pass. When I passed there during the day, it was open

later on at night, it was closed

Near the terminus "Berges de la Garonne" (line B) the road bridge "Pont de l'Aquitaine" spans across the Garonne. A took a ride with bus line 32, which runs over the bridge: Nice view from up there.

And now, another church: "Sacré Coeur". Its s short walk away from Bordeaux main railway station St Jean.

In addition to the usual big rose window, there were several small ones.

Tram tracks and green in the night always make for a nice sohot.

I did not notice the white stripes during the day

The stop "Quiconnes" looks like an allée.

After that much trams, a bit of rest in the "Jardin Publique" garden

If you want to see some water, head to "Le Lac".

"Real" Railway

As my hotel was close to the station, I had a nice of the railway bridge across the Garonne. Some impressions of the "real" railway.

Station hall of station St Jean

A mural of the former rail network in the south west

Shunting of an Intercité trainset on the bridge

A TGV leaves Bordeaux (I guess it heads to Paris).

A TER approaching St Jean

A TGV-Duplex

Morning has broken. After a little morning photo tour, I really enjoyed my breakfast.

In terms of architecture, Bordeaux was the hightlight of the trip. When you have a chance to go there: Just do it. After two nights, I grabbed my bag and got back on the train further south.

 

[kcp]

this is the final installment of my Tour de France. The last stops of my trip where Toulouse and Besancon.

Toulouse

Toulouse has two Métro and two tram line. The metro is of type VAL and uses rubber tires

Line A on the bridge across the motorway near terminus "Balma-Gramont"

As "Balma-Gramont" station is underground, a ramp connects it with the bridge

I happen to catch two types of rolling stock.

Three minute headways between the trains made my job pretty easy. No long waits between trains. The announcements in the metro were in two languages: Frensh and Occitan. Several signs showed street names in both languages too.

A must with VAL trains: Platform doors.

There were different version of interieur design. Here is one them. As it was almost impossible to catch an empty train, I did not manage to take a picture of the other designs.

"Cab" view. Unfortunately, we did not pass another train.

Stickers on the platform doors reminded the riders to behave. My favourite: "Volume is good for you hair, for public transportation: no so much"

Some stations had artwork. An installation in station "Palais de Justice"

This station offers a transfer to the tram. Both tram line end here. A tram is waiting for its departure time

Tail tracks covered with green

Nightfall at the "Palais de Justice"

Looking for the next tram stop or metro station? These sign will guide you

Tram stop design.

Tram on the "Pont St Michel" bridge approaching its next stop "Cheval de Fer"

The tram line that runs to the airport passes over the motoorway using this nice looking, modern bridge.

The airport is located in the suburb town Blagnac. The industrial park seem to consist mostly of aircraft industrie. A lot of buildings had the Airbus logo. Even the partnership with a German town is "advertised" with a tribute to aeronautics.

As last tram picture: A look inside.

Apart from tram and metro watching, I did some sightseeing two. Looks like tweo churches, but it is one building: The Cathedral St Etienne.

An example of the brownstone architecture that dominates Toulouse: The "Halles aux Grains"

The "Pont Neuf" spans the Garonne river.

For relaxion, take a few minutes and enjoy the green in the "Grand Rond" garden.

Or do you prefer a stroll along water: Try the "Canal du Midi".

As I am a computer scientist who had to deal with character encoding issues in the past, this made me smile.

That's it about Toulouse. Now on to the final leg of the trip: Besancon.

Besancon

My brother suggested a visit to Besancon, because he had go there on business and liked the city. So I trusted his judgement (and he was right, it is a nice place). This stop over had an additional avantage: I could split me journey home into two segments. Instead of ten hours on the train, first 6 hours to Besancon and the next day four hours home.

My TGV leaves the TGV station "Besancon-Franche Comté TGV" (located on the LGV Rhin-Rhône high speed line)

Artwork in the station

Unlike most TGV stations located outside of cities, this one has a rail connection to the city. TER shuttles run to Besancons Viotte station

Besancon has two tram lines. The railway station is served by one of these two lines. Busses and tram are painted in turquoise color. Tram at Gare Viotte

Both lines at "Hauts du Chazal". In the background the depot.

Once again, a tram in a roundabount (near stop "Allende")

Nice mix of blue and green (near "Allende" too)

A look inside. In contrast to most modern trams in France, these are not build by Alstom but by Spanish company CAF

Tram at stop "Canot". The building in the background is the "Cite Universitaire"

The river "Doubs" surrounds most of the city centre. On the hill above the city is a Citadelle.

A wooden dragon on guard duty in front of the Citadelle

A look unto the city. On the right the tower of Cathedral St Jean

I want to close the series with another church window: There must not always people et al be shown. A pattern could be just as nice (at least thats my take).

This wraps up 12 days on the road (or better on the rails ;-)). It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed every minute of the trip. A lot of sighseeing, tram and metro riding in addition to a lot of fine dining and wine made for a great holiday. Apart from a bit of rain in Tours and Besancon, I managed to stay ahead of any bad weather. Mostly, it was sunny with about 30°C .

I hope you enjoyed my little trip best of.

Take care.
Charly