The Gare de Saint-Nazaire is the passenger railway station serving the French town and port of Saint-Nazaire.

Gare de Saint-Nazaire
Train
General information
LocationSaint-Nazaire
France
Elevation4 m
Owned byRFF / SNCF
Operated bySNCF
Line(s)TGV Atlantique
TER Pays de la Loire
Interloire
Platforms3
Tracks4
Construction
Platform levels2
Other information
Station code87481705
History
Opened1995
Electrified25 kV AC
Passengers
???
Services
Preceding station SNCF Following station
Nantes
towards Montparnasse
TGV
Pornichet
towards Le Croisic
Preceding station TER Pays de la Loire Following station
Pornichet
towards Le Croisic
1 Penhoët
towards Nantes

Designed by Noël Le Maresquier with a functional and maritime style, it was built in 1955 in anticipation of the arrival of the TGV Atlantique and replaced an older station in the town developed in the 19th century by the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans railway. Located to the north of the town, to make access easier there is a bridge linking the station to the main town centre.[1]

Its design has come in for some local criticism in 2008, as well as its state of upkeep. SNCF have promised various levels of maintenance and development, particularly to assist disabled passengers and make a better impression on visitors to the town.[2] Access to the station by foot or car is currently difficult, due to associated and local redevelopment.[3][4]

The shell of the old station, now a performing arts theatre, is located further south, adjacent to the Port of Saint Nazaire. It is also noted for being the site of one of the most incredible survival stories of WW2. On January 3, 1943, US Airman Alan Magee fell from his crippled B-17, without a parachute, from a height 20,000 feet. He crashed through the glass ceiling of the train station, which slowed his fall enough to allow him to survive upon hitting the floor below.

Services

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A TGV train at the station in 2004.

The station is served by both the TGV and the regional trains and buses of the TER Pays de la Loire. The TGV (high speed train) provides connection to Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, and Strasbourg; with trains to Paris via the LGV Atlantique taking just over 2 hours. TER Pays de la Loire and Interloire provide links to Nantes, Angers, Le Mans, La Roche sur Yon, and many other regional cities and towns.[5][6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Gare de Saint-Nazaire". lesgares.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2008.
  2. ^ "Gare de Saint-Nazaire". maville.com. 2008-02-02. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
  3. ^ "Gare Saint Nazaire, 6 am". saintnazaire.net. 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
  4. ^ "Yes, the station of Saint Nazaire deserves better". sn2008-2014.com. 2008-01-31. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
  5. ^ Rechercher une fiche horaire, TER Pays de la Loire, accessed 16 May 2022.
  6. ^ Carte des lignes régionales de transport des Pays de la Loire, TER Pays de la Loire, accessed 16 May 2022.

47°17′12″N 2°12′42″W / 47.28657°N 2.21171°W / 47.28657; -2.21171