Fancy a trip along the Rhône by train? With one rare exception, the railway route follows the river all the way to its delta, water and rail weaving a unique bond. From station to station, town to town, take a journey against the current, from the Mediterranean to the Rhône glacier.

The Rhône by train from the Mediterranean to the Alps
What could be more pleasant than a train journey, without traffic jams, with your eyes riveted on the scenery as it passes by? As well as the connections, which are fairly easy in the Rhône valley, here’s a suggestion for a rail journey to suit your mood and your time, between France and Switzerland, from Arles to Oberwald. Follow the Rhône by train!
Stage 1: Arles, between history and the light of Provence
Take your seat on the train at Arles station, a city in the shadow of the Rhône, this imposing river that stretches all the way to the Mediterranean via its delta and the Camargue.
This is where the journey backwards begins, up the course of this river towards the Alps. The sound of screeching rails gently carries you away from the Camargue, this wild land where there is so much to explore, from the salt flats to the marshes from which the pink flamingos fly.
The town of Arles, with its ancient arenas and narrow streets steeped in history, will leave you with rich memories. The Rhône is wide and gentle here, and the Provençal light sets the landscape ablaze. You leave Arles station lulled by the images of this city of art, which inspired Van Gogh in particular.
Your next stop is not far away: Avignon, the city of the Popes.
- Looking for a break in Avignon? (French)
After a short journey of around twenty minutes, you get off at Avignon Centre, right in the heart of the walled city. The majesty of the Palais des Papes and the Pont d’Avignon stand out against a clear sky. Here, the Rhône seems almost wiser, though wide, separating the old town from the island of Barthelasse, a green oasis. You can spend your stop wandering the cobbled streets, before stopping off at one of the many restaurants in the centre for a Provençal daube or other dish to your taste. Time seems to stand still in Avignon, where history mingles with the festive atmosphere of Provence, as during the famous Avignon Festival.
Stage 2: from Avignon to Valence, between the vineyards and hills of the Drôme
The next morning, after a coffee on the terrace overlooking the ramparts, you board a regional TER train bound for Valence, a little further north. The Rhône becomes a thread running through the train, which you can observe at every long bend. The landscape gradually changes: the hills of the Drôme appear, carpeted with vineyards. The river widens in the valley, calm and majestic.
You can stop off in Valence-Ville, where you’ll discover a town that’s right up against the banks of the Rhône, with its shady streets and lively squares in the centre. After visiting the old town, enjoy the gentle pace of life along the Rhône, strolling through Parc Jouvet, the last pedestrian access to the river. Regional specialities such as caillette, walnuts and even a glass of Rhône Valley wine such as Croze-Hermitage await you.
Although it’s only by road, you can walk across the Pont de l’Europe to admire the view of the Rhône from the other side. In the evening, it’s up to you to find the hotel that suits you best , preferably close to the station.

Stage 3: from Valence to Lyon towards the confluence
It’s a new day, and you’re heading even further up the Rhône valley. The train leaves Valence, winding its way between the steep hills overlooking the river at Tain l’Hermitage and Tournon-sur-Rhône. Along the way, you pass Vienne, a city with a rich Roman past, which you can glimpse from the window of the Rhône by train. Here, the remains of the amphitheatre and the temple of Augustus and Livia invite you to stop off for a visit.
The river will take you all the way to Lyon, to Lyon Perrache or Part-Dieu station depending on the timetable, just a stone’s throw from the Rhône. Lyon is a city at the crossroads: the Rhône and the Saône meet here, and you can enjoy this symbiosis as you stroll along the quays to the Musée des Confluences. Stroll through Vieux Lyon, with its mysterious traboules, and enjoy a hearty meal in a bouchon lyonnais: andouillette, gratin dauphinois, and tarte à la praline are often among the choices.
In the evening, climb the Fourvière hill to admire the view of the illuminated city and the two rivers entwined below. Lyon is a vibrant city, and you can enjoy the night in a hotel room close to the banks of the Rhône and not far from your next train station.
Stage 4: Lyon to Geneva via the Haut-Rhône
In the morning, you leave Lyon for the Swiss border. The train heads north, still following the Rhône, but already the landscape is changing. The plains stretch out, and soon the mountains begin to appear on the horizon. After a stop at Culoz, you start to feel the change in air.
Once you’ve crossed the Valserhône lock, you’re off to the flagship town of the Swiss Rhône, between Lake Geneva and its blue waters that flow down to the valley not far from the statue in homage to Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Once past the Franco-Swiss border and the confluence of the Arve and Rhône rivers, you arrive in Geneva on the shores of Lake Geneva, the vast expanse of land through which the Rhône flows. The contrast is striking: the climate is cooler, the atmosphere calmer, and the Alps are clearly visible. The Rhône continues on its way, invisible here, but very much present in the shadow of the lake. A stroll along the banks of the river to La Jonction brings you to the confluence of the Arve, a subtle blend of the crystal-clear waters of Lake Geneva and the muddy waters of the mountains.
Night falls as you retire to a discreetly charming hotel overlooking Lake Geneva . Geneva is a peaceful or lively stopover, depending on your mood, ideal for recharging your batteries for the Alpine stages that lie ahead.

Stage 5, from Lausanne to Sion: from vineyards to mountains
In the morning, you take the train back along the banks of Lake Geneva towards Sion, the capital of Valais. The Rhône, which you can see again after passing through the lake between Villeneuve and Aigle, has resumed its course, faster and narrower as it plunges deeper into the Alps.
Sion is a unique town, dominated by its two hills, on which the Valère Basilica and Tourbillon Castle sit enthroned. The sun shines down on the vineyards that cover the steep hillsides. You can spend the day exploring these vineyards, sipping a few glasses of fendant, the region’s emblematic white wine, or prefer to explore the castle and old streets of the historic centre.
The Rhône valley is wilder here, framed by imposing mountains. You can dine in a handful of restaurants overlooking the river, before taking refuge in a hotel not far from the station . The air is fresh, and the night is mild in this Alpine town where history meets nature.
Stage 6: from Sion to Brig, at the gateway to the Alps
The Rhône by train now takes you to Brig, at the entrance to the Swiss Alps. The Rhône winds its way through the ever-narrower valley, and the scenery becomes increasingly grandiose. Brig is a mountain town and the starting point for many Alpine trails.
From this station, if you feel like it, you can also take the Eurocity train to Italy and Milan .
Take the time to visit Stockalper Castle, an imposing fortress that watches over the town. Brig is the last great bastion before the Alps, and you can already feel the breath of the mountains all around you. In the evening , enjoy traditional Valais dishes such as raclette, dried meat and rye bread in a cosy inn of your choice. The air is crisp but invigorating, and the night is peaceful near the Alps.
Stage 7: from Brig to Oberwald, final ascent to the springs
The last day of your journey is marked by the final ascent to Oberwald, at the source of the Rhône. The train winds its way through the mountains, slowly climbing the Alpine slopes. You pass through Obergesteln, a peaceful community, before finally arriving in Oberwald, nestling at an altitude of 1,300 metres.
The Rhône is still a mountain stream here, rising from the nearby Rhône glacier. If you’re a keen walker, you can hike up to the glacier, from where the river flows and follows you all the way. The scenery is breathtaking: snow-capped peaks, deep silence and the distant roar of ice melting to give birth to the Rhône.
And for a final tour of the Rhône by train, you can also take the summit steam train up to the Furka Pass, which bears its name , or simply find a hotel or rental accommodation for a break at altitude .
The journey is drawing to a close, but the adventure seems to have barely begun. Faced with these immense mountains, their adjacent valleys like so many invitations, you realise the extent to which the river is a link between so many landscapes and cultures. From the plains of the Mediterranean to the peaks of the Alps, this journey by train along the Rhône is a true geographical and sensory journey, with a thousand possible scenarios.

Your train journey along the Rhône
With over a hundred stations in France and Switzerland along the Rhône river, there are many possible itineraries and stops. To help you plan your rail journey from town to town, with or without a bike, find the map and practical information about trains in the Rhône Valley on the dedicated page:

In connection with the Rhône river
- Map of the Rhône river
- Weather along the Rhône
- Taking the train in Switzerland and France
- Where to sleep in the Rhône valley?
- River tourism map (Rhône)
- Towns along the river
- The Viarhôna, the green bike route along the Rhône river
