The invention relates to a method for tensioning a cable (1) by means of a tensioning apparatus comprising a pulley (2) over which said cable (1) passes, a carriage (3) for supporting said movable pulley (2) on a guide rail (4), and one or more linear actuators (7) for moving the carriage (3), wherein said method includes: connecting an actuator (7), in a first position, between a first bearing point (8) and a second bearing point (9) which are stationary relative to the rail (4) and relative to the carriage (3), respectively, so as to enable the movement of the carriage (3) over a first portion of the rail (4) and the control of said actuator (7) on the basis of the tension set point of the cable (3); disconnecting the actuator (7) from the first position thereof; connecting an actuator (7), in a second position, between a third bearing point (10) and a fourth bearing point (11) which are stationary relative to the rail (4) and relative to the carriage (3), respectively,, at least one of the third bearing point (10) and fourth bearing point (11) being separate from the first bearing point (8) and second bearing point (9) so as to enable the movement of the carriage (3) over a second portion of the rail (4) and the control of said actuator (7) on the basis of the tension set point of the cable (3). The invention also relates to a tensioning apparatus and to an apparatus for transport via cable.