14éme Fête de la Châtaigne et des produits locaux - Le Fugeret
Today, November 1, 2014, the Train des Pignes Steam Train extends its regular route Puget-Théniers to Annot to the village of Le Fugeret, to take visitors to this year's chestnut festival (Fête de la Châtaigne) in this village.
Well in time for departure, the steam engine with the passenger carriages reverses from the GECP depot into Puget-Théniers station.
The train's departure has to wait until the arrival and departure of the CP railcar set AMP 808 and 807.
The last trip of the Train des Pignes Steam Train this year
The steam train takes the passengers on an almost two hour long voyage with a 431 meters altitude gain, with stops at Entrevaux and Annot stations, to reach 838 meters at Le Fugeret station.Arrival at Le Fugeret
During the stop in Le Fugeret, the vehicles of train have to be rearranged. The locomotive and the goods wagon will be moved, in different order, to the other end of the train.
The Le Fugeret station, located ca 150 meters from the village, was opened on July 3, 1911, when the whole line between Digne-les-Bains and Nice was finally ready and opened.
After and above the station, the tracks contain two halfcircle bends, including two tunnels 194 and 509 meters long, that bring the trains high above the village.
The Chestnut and Local Products Festival
The commune of Le Fugeret is one of the smallest in France, with only some 220 inhabitants, who live in the village of Le Fugeret and the commune's three main hamlets Chabrières, Argenton and Bontès.One of the characteristics of this commune is that it's chestnut tree plantations are the most elevated (having the highest altitude) in France.
The mayor opens the festival - in front of the town hall, a building that also contains the restaurant and hotel - assisted by various elected members of the local councils.
The festival stands are located in the village main square, located between the town hall, the church and the cimetary.
First and foremost there are stands for chestnuts, including a stand where the preparation of chestnut products can be tried by visitors.
But there are also stands with other kinds of products, (some not really locally produced!).
In the evening, a mass was held in the village's beautiful catholic church.
Other festivals with GECP or ATTCV participation:
- The chestnut festival in Le Fugeret 2013
- The chestnut festivals in Camps-la-Source 2013 and 2014
Old photographs from Le Fugeret
#traindespignes
