Agrivap
The museum of agricultural machinery and steam engine
Region : Auvergne
Description:
Trains of Discovery delight you by the landscapes of the Auvergne Livradois-Forez.Thus, the steam train ride you between Ambert and Olliergues,
railcars panoramic 'Picasso' or 'Bleu d'Auvergne' make you move from Courpière to Ambert and La Chaise Dieu (Sembadel) along the Dore Valley.
Your discoveries will make you flying over the valleys and viaducts and they will immerse you in the mountains in tunnels, throughout the 85 km of operated tracks.
Agrivap, it is also 316 meters of inclination going until 1089 meters of altitude, is 17 tunnels (about 3 km) and 8 bridges & viaducts, from Courpière to La Chaise Dieu (near Sembadel, direction of Puy-en-Velay, along the valley of the Dore river), and is also a museum.
The museum of agricultural machinery and steam engine shows you many machines all of which were restored by the volunteer members of the association.
You will then see this:
- The steam engines room,
- The Hall of harvest and threshing, with its exceptional collection of tractors and engines from 1914 to 1958,
- The hall of local old fashion expertise showing you the art of braiding and beads,
- The sawmill Schroth, home of the micro-steam power plant which operated from 1929 to 1975,
- And finally the Kids Corner by Planet Explorer that presents the attraction 'A Full Steam' designed specifically for children.
Planning:
The museum is open according to the following schedule:- From April the 12th to July the 1st: Open Tuesday to Sunday except on Monday, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
- From July the 3rd to August the 28th: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and in August the 15th, open at the same hours,
- From August the 30th to October the 9th: Open from Tuesday to Sunday except on Monday, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00p.m. .
The official schedule of train departures is available by clicking here.
The official opening hours of the museum are available by clicking here.
Exchange market of machine models is on Sunday the 25th of September from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m..
Annual closure is from December the 17th to January the 10th.
Departures are planned at regular times.
Free times are scheduled in the arrival villages so that you have the time to visit them.
Thus:
- At La Chaise Dieu, you can visit the abbey, walk through the village and meet its craftsmen;
- At Ambert, you can see the city and its museums,
- Olliergues presents you its museum, its village and artisans;
- Courpière opens its city
- Arlanc shows its museum, its city and garden.
At last, depending of the routes that you have selected, you can cross the villages of Saint-Gervais-sous-Meymont located between Courpière and Olliergues, and Vertolaye located between Ambert and Olliergues. Disclaimer : The management team of the destination has the possibility to change the opening days and hours without prior communication.
Comments:
The touristic train can be planned for groups throughout the year under reservation.Note: The museum of the non profitable Association law 1901 is not equipped with credit card terminal.
You can buy tickets train + museum.
For journeys made with the steam train and with the 'wandering' (train to travel in the open air), it is required for children under 3 years old and fragil persons (breath problems, eye, allergy, ...) to travel in the closed car to avoid the inconvenience caused by smoke. In case of non compliance with these guidelines, the association endorses no responsibility.
The railcar is moving between villages: Ambert, La Chaise Dieu, and Courpière Arlanc.
The steam train runs between Ambert and Olliergues.
Note that this is only for information purpose: the association keeps the right to change the machines according to operational requirements. Contact the train station of Ambert or at the 04-73-82-43-88.
Address:
Rue de l'industrie, 63600 AmbertMuseum: Rue de l'industrie, 63600 Ambert
Train station: Avenue du 11 novembre, 63600 Ambert
The train station and the museum are located nearby in Ambert.
The departures stations are located in 3 of the 5 towns and villages served by rail cars and steam trains: in Ambert, La Chaise Dieu, and Courpière.
Courpière is located not far from Clermont-Ferrand.
GPS coordinates of the departure train stations are:
Ambert: N 45°33'01'', E 03°44'33''
Courpière: N 45°45'21'', E 03°32'19''
La Chaise Dieu: N 45°19'20'', E 03°41'51''
Click here to see the route (on a new tab)
