Sourdeval Station was established in 1887 as a part of the Fougères-Vire railway line, situated between the stations of Saint-Clément and des Maures (in the former commune of Saint-Sauveur-de-Chaulieu). This railway line is now a greenway. From 1908 to 1935, the station served as the terminus of the Granville-Sourdeval narrow gauge railway line, which went through Avranches. However, it was closed for passenger traffic in 1939. Today, the passenger building has been converted into a residential house. A hiking stop has been set up to the north, where the missing tracks used to be located.
The Granville-Sourdeval railway line was a rail link that used to connect Sourdeval to Granville via Avranches. This metric-track line was 71 km long and was operational from 1908 to 1935. It was also known as the “Little Train of the Coast”.
The railway line was declared of public utility on July 23, 1904, along with other railway lines in the English Channel. The construction of the viaduct on the Sée began in 1906, and its unfinished structure was inaugurated on October 13, 1907, by Messrs. Ruau Minister and Chéron Under-Secretary of State.
The Avranches-Granville section was extended by 1.5 km to pass in front of the property of Senator Elphège Basire. In addition to the station, a stop was erected in Tissey in the municipality of Dragey, where he was the mayor. The railway line was inaugurated on Tuesday, August 22, 1908, quite discreetly as reported by L’Avranchin.
The Granville-Brécey section was opened to the public on August 29, 1908. The trams were initially built and operated by the French Society of Electric Trams and Railway, which in 1907 became the Channel Railway Company. Later on, it was relayed by the Norman Company of Norman Railways.
The railway line was very popular with tourists and locals. However, it was closed on January 1, 1935, and was downgraded on December 31, 1936. Part of its route, between Jullouville and Saint-Jean-le-Thomas, has now been transformed into a hiking trail.
If you like to find out more about the rail line from Sourdeval to Granville follow this link
