SNCF quelques heures de train quelques jours de neige un an de couleurs 1947

This charming 1947 SNCF travel poster captures the optimism of postwar France, promoting rail travel to winter destinations with a simple yet evocative slogan: “A few hours by train, a few days of snow, a whole year of memories (or ‘colors’).” It reflects the renewed enthusiasm for leisure travel as Europe emerged from the hardships of World War II.

The design combines photographic realism with playful illustration. A smiling woman, sun-kissed and radiant, suggests health, relaxation, and the pleasures of fresh mountain air. Nearby, a cheerful skier figure and bright winter sun reinforce the idea of accessible alpine holidays — made easy thanks to the expanding French rail network.

Stylistically, the poster sits at the crossroads of advertising photography and graphic illustration typical of late-1940s travel publicity. Its warm palette and optimistic tone contrast with the austerity of the immediate postwar years, embodying the promise of mobility, recreation, and rediscovered freedom.

Today, this poster stands as a delightful example of early SNCF tourism promotion — a reminder of how rail travel helped democratize holidays and shaped modern leisure culture in France.

Original Poster

Railway - Tourism - Mountain - France

Printed by R. L. Dupuy in Paris

Good condition, minor restorations