Inauguration of the 'La Patache' tram 1898 (≈ 1898)
First electric tram between Avenue des Sources and Hotel Splendid.
1907
Closing of the tramway and partial opening of the funicular
Closing of the tramway and partial opening of the funicular 1907 (≈ 1907)
Replacement by a 373-metre funicular.
1912
Extension to Newfoundland
Extension to Newfoundland 1912 (≈ 1912)
Extension of line and displacement of avoidance.
1er mai 1913
Official commissioning
Official commissioning 1er mai 1913 (≈ 1913)
Grant granted by the Conseil général de Haute-Savoie.
1969
Final closure
Final closure 1969 (≈ 1969)
End of operation after decline of thermalism.
30 novembre 1983
Classification of cars
Classification of cars 30 novembre 1983 (≈ 1983)
Two cabins classified as historical monuments.
28 décembre 1984
Registration of funicular
Registration of funicular 28 décembre 1984 (≈ 1984)
Protection of six stations, tracks and machinery.
21 juin 2002
Re-opening after restoration
Re-opening after restoration 21 juin 2002 (≈ 2002)
Return to service after 33 years of abandonment.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Funicular including the six stations (low terminal station - cad. AI 72, source station Shopping - Cad. AK 62, 63, resort of the Splendid Hotel - Cad. AK 64, Royal Hotel station - Cad. AN 39, Matérairs station - cad. AN 40, AB 11, Superior station - cad. AB 15), as well as railway tracks and machinery located in the upper station : inscription by order of 28 December 1984
Key figures
Jean-Bernard Lemoine - Member of the Historical Monuments Commission
Saved the funicular from destruction.
Marc Francina - Mayor of Evian-les-Bains (1990s)
Launched the restoration of the funicular in 1995.
Origin and history
The Evian-les-Bains funicular, nicknamed the "Little Victorian Metro", was designed to serve thermal hotels built on the heights of the city at the end of the 19th century. Originally, a 300-metre electric tram, the "Patache", connected Avenue des Sources to the Splendid Hotel in 1898, before being replaced in 1907 by the funicular. The latter, 373 meters long at its beginning, was extended in 1912 to reach Neuvecelle, with a temporary and then definitive avoidance.
The line, officially put into service in 1913 after a departmental concession, was increasingly successful until 1938, with 144,263 passengers. After World War II, the decline of thermalism led to its closure in 1969. Saved from destruction thanks to the intervention of Jean-Bernard Lemoine (member of the Commission des Monuments Historiques), the funicular was classified in 1983 (cars) and 1984 (infrastructure) and then restored to identical status between 1995 and 2002.
The reopening took place on 21 June 2002, after major work: strengthening the tunnel, refurbishing the stations, and upgrading the rolling stock while maintaining its original aspect. Today, the 771-metre line, with its six stations and 125-metre elevation, operates free of charge from April to September. The original (1913) wooden cabins, painted white and green, carry up to 60 passengers each, while the historic machinery, although preserved, has been replaced by a modern system.
Among its particularities, the funicular of Evian is the only one in France with six stations, four of which are intermediates. The superior chalet-style resort was damaged by a fire in 1991 but restored. The electric system, powered by battery at the station, and bicycle or freight wagons demonstrate its adaptation to local needs. Originally operated by the Société des Bains d'Evian, it is now managed by municipal government.
The funicular illustrates the technical innovation of the early twentieth century, with a cable traction without rack, a first in France. Its plot, following the channeled bed of the Nant of Hell, alternates aerial and underground sections. Ranked a historic monument, it embodies both the Savoyard industrial heritage and the golden age of thermalism, while remaining a functional and free public transport.
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