Tacot des Lacs
Discover Tacot des Lacs: A Journey Back in Time!
Experience a unique adventure in Grez-sur-Loing at Tacot des Lacs, where history and nature combine for a memorable day out. Climb aboard an authentic vintage train, traveling at a leisurely 10 km/h through the stunning Fontainebleau Forest, passing scenic lakes and shaded trails.
Your journey includes:
- 40-minute train ride with breathtaking views.
- 40-minute guided tour of the locomotive depot, where you'll learn about historic trains used during World War I.
Tacot des Lacs celebrates an impressive collection of over 90 historic trains, including:
- Restored steam locomotives and wartime engines.
- Rare water tankers and wagons.
- A solar-powered tramway for kids, offering an eco-friendly experience.
Family-Friendly Fun
Children can enjoy riding and even piloting the small solar tramway! A larger solar tramway for families is under construction.
Schedule & Tickets
Season runs from April to November with departures on weekends, holidays, and daily during summer.
Individual prices:
- Children under 3: Free
- Ages 3-11: €6
- Ages 12+: €9
- Group discounts available for 20+ people.
Plan Your Visit
Tacot des Lacs welcomes families, schools, and history lovers. Reserve in advance by phone at 01 64 28 67 67 or email tacotdeslacs@wanadoo.fr.
History
The Tacot des Lacs is a historic narrow-gauge tourist train operating between Montcourt-Fromonville, Grez-sur-Loing, and Bourron-Marlotte in the Fontainebleau area of France. Running on a 600mm gauge, it follows about 2.5 km of the former tracks once used by a sand quarry near Bourron. Established in 1982, the Tacot des Lacs Association has worked to preserve and restore the region's railway heritage, bringing steam and diesel locomotives back to life.
The railway's roots trace back to the 1850s, when sand quarries throughout Seine-et-Marne connected to local stations via narrow-gauge rail to transport sand to larger rail lines, canals, and roads. By 1911, a line linked Bourron’s quarry to nearby transport routes. Extended in 1913, it eventually connected the Loing Canal in Montcourt-Fromonville, allowing easier shipment of sand. The line ceased operations in 1969 as trucks took over, but it was revived for tourism in 1985 as the Tacot des Lacs.
Today, the train ride offers a scenic journey through the Fontainebleau Forest, featuring views of lakes, unique trees, and old sand-extraction areas. The experience includes a guided tour with historical insights, and the train cars (called "voitures") are pulled by authentic locomotives from the early 20th century, some of which even served during World War I. After the ride, visitors can tour the locomotive depot, home to a collection of historically classified trains.
The Tacot des Lacs runs from April through October, offering a unique outing for families, friends, and train enthusiasts alike. Advance reservations are recommended due to the limited schedule.
Quick Links
- Tacot des Lacs (site is on http so you will get warning)
- Alternate site (also with browser warning)