Abandoned since 2021, the tourist train link between Carnoules and Brignoles rises from the ashes

Picasso, have you heard of him? No, not the famous Spanish painter—that would be too simple. We're talking about the Picasso railcar. In the aftermath of World War II, the SNCF (French National Railway Company) introduced this railcar capable of autonomous movement on the rails. Officially named the X-3800, the vehicle was quickly nicknamed "Picasso" by railway workers. The reason? Its original use and a profile reminiscent of the master's drawings.

This Picasso, finally, a cousin (X-3976), can be seen in Carnoules. The pride of the Association du train touristique du centre Var (ATTCV), the carriage was still running on the region's rails until the somewhat abrupt cessation of operation of the Carnoules-Brignoles tourist line in 2021. While the ATTCV has been operating somewhat slowly since then, at least on the Var railways, things could well change. And the hope of seeing the revival of the tourist line that connects the two communes now appears very real.

All partners enter the station!

At the helm of this possible resurrection is Véronique Baccino, a departmental councilor particularly committed to the issue, but also, and above all, the partner communities. Namely: the Region, the Department, the Provence Verte urban community, and the Cœur du Var community of communes. "The planets are aligned for us all to work together," judges Christophe Cortes, mayor of Carnoules, in charge of the issue for Cœur du Var.

Finally!

Since 2021, the ATTCV has been doing everything it can to get the line back in operation. But the costs of maintaining the lines are becoming insurmountable. Firstly, due to the Covid crisis, which has brought activity to a standstill, but also because the Army is cutting its participation at the same time as it ceases to use the route.

Result: four years of nothing, or almost. "We continue to take tourists on trips, on certain exceptional routes, mainly in the Paca region," explains Robert Berti, for the ATTCV. Hautes-Alpes, Drôme, Sète… The association's historic wagons continue to run. But far from this famous Carnoules-Brignoles line, the one that was undoubtedly, until the dawn of the 2020s, the most frequently offered.

Tourism and economy

Back to 2025. One after the other, the two Public Intercommunal Cooperation Establishments (EPCI), Provence Verte and Cœur du Var, voted in favor of considering a return to the farm. Encouraged by the regional and departmental councils, which are already offering to contribute to the project, the two EPCIs are moving forward. "With caution," tempers Jean-Claude Félix, mayor of Rocbaron, who is in charge of the project for Provence Verte.

With his Carnoulais counterpart, and on behalf of their respective presidents (Didier Brémond, mayor of Brignoles, and Yannick Simon, mayor of Cabasse), the two men nevertheless show enough desire to give hope for a return of trains within a few months. This will be necessary: the two EPCI must regain responsibility for the line, and therefore for its possible operation.

"It's a project that combines tourism and the economy," the two mayors say in unison. "We won't do just anything," says the mayor of Rocbaron. "But we want it to work. We'll have to pay attention to two points: the specifications given to the delegate, and the distribution of costs."

On this last question, we know that the communities have agreed to operate on an equal footing. It may then be a matter of finding other sources of funding (Europe?). The fact remains that "this deliberation marks a turning point" , in the eyes of Jean-Claude Félix. Enthusiasm shared with Christophe Cortes: "We have a truly beautiful territorial project to write, with this line whose reputation is well established."

While it's still too early to discuss a timeline, Véronique Baccino believes the first clearing permits could move the project forward before the 2026 local government budgets finally make the operation possible. In what form, and with which partner association? The details remain to be defined. But the project is stalled; it would be a shame if it stayed there!

ATTCV in the starting blocks

It started out as a group of fifteen enthusiasts. The Association du train touristique du centre Var (ATTCV) is the story of these volunteers who wanted to perpetuate the railway history of the Carnoules-Gardanne line, following the line's closure in 1992. Since then, the ATTCV has been "recovering" equipment, railcars, wagons, sleeping cars, and draisines in its lair located at the northern exit of Carnoules. "The SNCF entrusts them to us for maintenance, repair, and renovation. And we keep them running."

Expertise, a love of rail, and organizational experience: the ATTCV is the ideal candidate to take over the Carnoules-Brignoles line. But we're not there yet. However, the association has no shortage of ideas: school trips, lunches or dinners, shows in the carriages, making equipment available for filming... "Since we've seen that the return of operations is possible, it's given volunteers a new boost," says Robert Berti, in charge of external relations for the ATTCV.

However, everything will be carefully framed by the local authorities. Adherence to the charter of the Union of Railway, Tourist and Museum Operators (Unecto), declassification of the line to allow for a change in usage standards, less restrictive... Things are brewing behind the scenes, ahead of a possible call for applications for traffic management. A call to which the ATTCV will undoubtedly be ready to respond.