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Illustration: A lit holiday train passing a snowy village with a white church beside a frozen lake
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Christmas

Trains de la magie de Noël — Chemin de Fer Touristique de la Vallée de l'Aa

  • Run by Chemin de Fer Touristique de la Vallée de l'Aa (CFTVA)
  • Arques station (Accès Petite Vitesse) — Arques, Hauts-de-France, France

Next: Dec 5–20, 2026

A story-led Christmas train hauled by a steam locomotive on the Arques–Lumbres line, in the Pas-de-Calais, run on the weekends of December before Christmas.

Updated

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Next edition

Dec 5–20, 2026

Weekends only: Dec 5–6, 12–13 and 19–20. Two trains a day, 14:00 and 16:30. Ticket sales open on Nov 5 at 09:00.

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About this event

The Chemin de Fer Touristique de la Vallée de l'Aa (CFTVA) runs historic trains over 15 km of line between Arques and Lumbres, through the Aa valley and the heart of the Caps et Marais d'Opale regional natural park. The operator says it organises themed trains throughout the year: playful, physical, cultural and convivial activities.

The Trains de la magie de Noël tell a story: the Magic of Christmas is in danger, because the key to the suitcase holding the most beautiful Christmas memories has disappeared and has to be found to set the Magic of Christmas free. The operator promises a journey to the rhythm of steam, stories and songs, "filled with magic". The train is hauled by a steam locomotive with coaches from the 1930s or the 1960s and runs Arques – Lumbres – Arques.

The operator schedules the trains on all the weekends of December before Christmas.

What to expect

A story-led return journey from Arques to Lumbres on a steam-hauled train, with stories and songs, as the operator describes it. Each ticketed slot lasts about one hour forty-five minutes according to the operator's booking page.

Practical info

Boards at Arques station: Rue de l'Europe, Accès Petite Vitesse, 62510 Arques. By bus, lines 3 or 6 stop at Arques Centre Ville; there is no bus on Sundays and public holidays. The operator says its historic rolling stock is poorly suited to wheelchair users: only its Picasso railcars are accessible, space for wheelchairs is limited, and it asks to be told in advance (phone 03 21 93 45 46 or contact@cftva62.com). Tickets are sold online through the operator's booking page.

Where it happens

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Spots and live cams nearby

Where to watch trains within 100 km of Arques.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the train leave from?▾
From Arques station, Rue de l'Europe, Accès Petite Vitesse, 62510 Arques, in the Pas-de-Calais.
What is the story?▾
The operator says the Magic of Christmas is in danger: the key to the suitcase of the most beautiful Christmas memories has disappeared and has to be found.
What kind of train is it?▾
The operator describes a steam locomotive hauling coaches from the 1930s or the 1960s, running Arques – Lumbres – Arques.
How long does a trip last?▾
The operator's booking page shows slots of about one hour forty-five minutes.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?▾
The operator says its historic rolling stock is poorly suited to wheelchair users, that only the Picasso railcars are accessible and that space for wheelchairs is limited. It asks passengers to warn it in advance.
How do I book?▾
Tickets are sold through the operator's online booking page, which the operator links from its website.

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Sources

Dates checked on Oct 21, 2026 from the official site: billetweb.fr. Schedules can change — always confirm with the operator before you travel.

Official website: cftva62.com

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