The first part of the line - from Gardanne to Trets - was opened on October 15, 1877, the second and last - between Trets and Carnoules - on November 29, 1880.
The stations on the line were: Gardanne, Meyreuil, La Barque, Chateau l'Arc, Peynier-Rousset, Trets, Pourrières, Pourcieux, St.Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, Tourves, Les Cenciès, Brignoles, Camps la Source, Forcalqueiret-Garéoult, Ste.Anastasie, Besse-sur-Issole, Carnoules.
Whilst the Gardanne station was opened only in October 1877, the Carnoules station had been opened already in September 1, 1862.
The primary purpose of the line was transportation of merchandise throughout the region, in particular bauxite from the mines in the Brignoles area. The second main purpose was to provide an alternative railroad connection to the military naval installations in Toulon, an alternative to the Marseille-Toulon line along the coast, vulnerable to enemy attack from the sea. This last purpose is today the only reason why it is still maintained, as one of the last lines to be maintained for strategic military reasons.
The passenger traffic was never particularly heavy and ceased entirely on the 18th of April 1939. The line was reopened during WW2, with one railcar connection per day, but was at the time primarily used by the Germans to transport bauxite.
Today a group of train enthusiasts - ATTCV (FR) (EN) - operate a railcar service between Carnoules and Brignoles during the summer months. An extension of this service to St.Maximin is under preparation.
The picture shows the railcar Caravelle X4567 in service just south of Brignoles.
