BVB Train Bex-Villars-Bretaye: the panoramic climb to the peaks

From the plain to the peaks, by rail

From Bex station, the BVB train begins an impressive climb: 17 km of track linking the plain (around 424 m) to the Col-de-Bretaye, perched at around 1,808 m above sea level. Along the way, the train crosses alpine valleys and typical villages such as Gryon and Villars-sur-Ollon. The panorama unfolds as you climb: the plain below, the Grand Muveran, and at the terminus, the view opens up as far as Mont-Blanc. Operated by the TPC (Transports Publics du Chablais), this journey is a panoramic travel experience in itself, turning the trip into an adventure.

What your children will discover

Your children will watch the landscape transform before their eyes: you leave the Rhône plain, cross forests and mountain villages, and climb up to the alpine pastures. The ascent is gradual and spectacular, punctuated by stops in alpine villages. At the top, the Col-de-Bretaye reveals a magnificent panorama with, in the distance, Mont-Blanc. The terminus is also an ideal starting point for hikes in summer or sledging in winter. The Bretaye 1808 restaurant offers a break with a view.

What you'll do and the atmosphere on site

You board at Bex, change at Villars for the last stretch to Bretaye, and enjoy the spectacle all the way. No booking is needed for the regular services. The atmosphere varies with the seasons: hikes and alpine pastures in summer, snow and sledging in winter. In summer, the Villars-Bretaye section runs every day from 8 am to 5 pm, one train per hour; in winter, from 8 am to 6 pm, every 15 to 30 minutes. At the terminus, the panoramic Bretaye 1808 restaurant invites you to a treat facing the peaks.

Before you go

• Recommended age: all ages; a journey suitable even for the youngest. Children under 6 free, accompanied by an adult.
• Duration: around 45 minutes from Bex to Villars, then a change for Bretaye.
• Price: TPC fares across two zones (Mobilis and Chablais), single tickets, day passes and season tickets; exact prices and acceptance of the GA/Half-Fare travelcards to be confirmed on tpc.ch or cff.ch.
• Booking: no booking for the regular service; wheelchair access by reservation.
• Accessibility: wheelchair access by reservation; pram to be confirmed.
• What to bring: warm clothing (the pass is at 1,808 m), good shoes for hiking or sledging.
• Best season: all year round; hikes in summer, sledging and snow in winter.

Tips from parents

• Children under 6 travel free, accompanied by an adult.
• Bring warm clothing: it's noticeably cooler at the Col-de-Bretaye than in Bex.
• Check the Bex-Villars frequency on tpc.ch or cff.ch before setting off.
• Combine the journey with a hike in summer or sledging in winter at the terminus.
• Stop at the Bretaye 1808 restaurant to enjoy the view of Mont-Blanc.

Useful information

• Departure: Bex station (CFF), heading for Gryon, Villars-sur-Ollon then the Col-de-Bretaye.
• Official website: tpc.ch (BVB / R74 line).
• Hours: in summer, Villars-Bretaye every day 8 am-5 pm (1 train/hour); in winter 8 am-6 pm (every 15 to 30 min); Bex-Villars frequency to be confirmed.
• Access: Bex station is on the CFF Lausanne-Brigue line; parking at Bex station (to be confirmed).

Why we recommend it

Because it offers, effortlessly, one of the most beautiful mountain journeys in the region. From the plain to the Col-de-Bretaye, the BVB train delights children who love trains and treats families to a panorama that elsewhere has to be earned on foot. In summer as in winter, it's an easy gateway to the peaks and their activities.

In a nutshell

The BVB train climbs from Bex to the Col-de-Bretaye (1,808 m) in a panoramic journey through alpine villages and valleys, all year round. To plan the outing, explore all our activities in Bex and our other sports & leisure activities in French-speaking Switzerland.