Le développement du tourisme ferroviaire en France depuis 1870

<italic>This paper recounts slow rail tourism development in France since 1870. It presents a pioneer analysis regarding the various forms of this tourism chaining process and their interactions. The first so-called leisure shape appears in the 1870s in connection with the advent of a sensitivity rewarding mountainous and coastal scenery. The second so-called heritage shape is based on the nostalgia of old trains railway enthusiasts try to revive. Finally, since the 1980’s, hybrid forms such as local animation railways and luxury trains emerge. This theme has been relatively little studied in France until now. Moreover, it appears that its economic importance is by far less than in other countries (Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States). The article also aims to point out this thwarted development.</italic>