They arrived before 10 am on the platforms at Nîmes station. With parasols slung over their shoulders, wheeled coolers and beach towels in tow, these day-trippers made their way to Track E, where the €1 train leaves each day from the city center of the Gard prefecture for the seaside resort of Le Grau-du-Roi – a journey that takes one hour. Launched in 2011 and funded by the Occitanie region, which does not disclose its financial cost, the scheme has been a major summer success every year.

In 2024, 114,000 passengers took the train in July and August. June 2025 has already seen a 9% increase compared to June 2024. On some weekends, the packed trains carry as many as 450 people. Overwhelmed by its popularity, and following numerous incidents of unruly behavior on board, SNCF (France's national railway company) deployed two teams of five mediators to ensure passengers' peace of mind.

This summer, the service has evolved again. Burned by past experiences – when some travelers could not board the last train back to Nîmes because it was overwhelmed – the region and SNCF opted for online reservations and ticket checks at the TER entrance. Until August 31, it is impossible to board without the correct ticket for the correct train.

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