Moret–Lyon railway
Encyclopedia
The railway from Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons to Lyon is a French
492-kilometre long railway line, that connects the Paris
region to the city Lyon
via Nevers
and Saint-Étienne
. The railway was opened in several stages between 1828 and 1861. The section between Saint-Étienne and Saint-Just-sur-Loire
was the first railway line in France. It has functioned as an alternative (but longer) line for the Paris–Marseille railway
between Paris and Lyon. Its main use, besides local traffic, is now for the connection between Paris and Clermont-Ferrand
.
at the Gare de Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons, and leaves in a southwestern direction. It follows the river Loing
upstream, turning south near Nemours
and passing through Montargis
, where it leaves the Loing. At Gien
it starts following the river Loire
upstream along its right bank, in a generally southern direction. It passes through Cosne-sur-Loire, and the railway junction Nevers
, where it crosses the Loire. At Saincaize
the line to Bourges
branches off.
From Saincaize, the line follows the right Allier bank south. It passes through Moulins
. At Saint-Germain-des-Fossés
two lines to Clermont-Ferrand
(one via Gannat
, one via Vichy
) branch off. The Moret–Lyon railway leaves the Allier and turns east. It passes through the Monts de la Madeleine, northern foothills of the Massif Central
. It crosses the Loire between Roanne
and Le Coteau
, where the shorter line to Lyon
via Tarare
branches off.
This is where the oldest section of the line starts. It continues south, parallel to the Loire, passing through Feurs
and along Andrézieux-Bouthéon
, where it meets the line from Clermont-Ferrand via Montbrison
. At Saint-Étienne
the line from Le Puy-en-Velay
joins, and the line continues northeast through Saint-Chamond
and Rive-de-Gier
. At Givors
on the river Rhône
it turns north, finally arriving in Lyon after 492 km.
. These railways were united in the Compagnie du chemin de fer Grand-Central de France in 1853, and at the dissolution of that company in 1857 the eastern part of the Grand-Central network was bought by the Chemins de fer de Paris à Lyon et à la Méditerranée
.
The first section of the Moret–Lyon railway that was opened in 1828 led from Saint-Étienne to Saint-Just-sur-Loire
. Saint-Étienne
and Lyon
were connected between 1830 and 1833. In 1834 the line was extended in northern direction from Saint-Just to Le Coteau
, near Roanne
. In 1850 a line from Nevers
to Saincaize
was built. This section was extended south to Varennes-sur-Allier
in 1853, to Saint-Germain-des-Fossés
in 1854 and to Lapalisse
in 1857. Lapalisse and Le Coteau were connected in 1858. In the north, Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons on the Paris–Marseille railway
was connected to Montargis
in 1860. Finally in 1861 the section from Montargis to Nevers was opened.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
492-kilometre long railway line, that connects the Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
region to the city Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
via Nevers
Nevers
Nevers is a commune in – and the administrative capital of – the Nièvre department in the Bourgogne region in central France...
and Saint-Étienne
Saint-Étienne
Saint-Étienne is a city in eastern central France. It is located in the Massif Central, southwest of Lyon in the Rhône-Alpes region, along the trunk road that connects Toulouse with Lyon...
. The railway was opened in several stages between 1828 and 1861. The section between Saint-Étienne and Saint-Just-sur-Loire
Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert
Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert is a commune in the Loire department in central France.-References:*...
was the first railway line in France. It has functioned as an alternative (but longer) line for the Paris–Marseille railway
Paris–Marseille railway
The railway from Paris to Marseille is an important French 862-kilometre long railway line, that connects Paris to the southern port city Marseille via Dijon and Lyon. The railway was opened in several stages between 1847 and 1856, when the final section through Lyon was opened...
between Paris and Lyon. Its main use, besides local traffic, is now for the connection between Paris and Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand is a city and commune of France, in the Auvergne region, with a population of 140,700 . Its metropolitan area had 409,558 inhabitants at the 1999 census. It is the prefecture of the Puy-de-Dôme department...
.
Route
The line branches off the Paris–Marseille railwayParis–Marseille railway
The railway from Paris to Marseille is an important French 862-kilometre long railway line, that connects Paris to the southern port city Marseille via Dijon and Lyon. The railway was opened in several stages between 1847 and 1856, when the final section through Lyon was opened...
at the Gare de Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons, and leaves in a southwestern direction. It follows the river Loing
Loing
The Loing is a 142 km long river in central France, a left tributary of the Seine. Its source is in Sainte-Colombe-sur-Loing, in the south of the Yonne département.The Loing flows into the Seine in Saint-Mammès, near Moret-sur-Loing...
upstream, turning south near Nemours
Nemours
Nemours is a commune in the Seine-et-Marne department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France.-Geography:Nemours is located on the Loing and its canal, c...
and passing through Montargis
Montargis
Montargis is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France. The town is located about south of Paris and east of Orléans in the Gâtinais....
, where it leaves the Loing. At Gien
Gien
Gien is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France.Gien is on the Loire River, from Orléans. The town was bought for the royal property by Philip II of France. The town is twinned with Malmesbury in England.-Sights:*Faience de Gien...
it starts following the river Loire
Loire (river)
The Loire is the longest river in France. With a length of , it drains an area of , which represents more than a fifth of France's land area. It is the 170th longest river in the world...
upstream along its right bank, in a generally southern direction. It passes through Cosne-sur-Loire, and the railway junction Nevers
Nevers
Nevers is a commune in – and the administrative capital of – the Nièvre department in the Bourgogne region in central France...
, where it crosses the Loire. At Saincaize
Saincaize-Meauce
Saincaize-Meauce is a commune in the Nièvre department in central France.-References:*...
the line to Bourges
Bourges
Bourges is a city in central France on the Yèvre river. It is the capital of the department of Cher and also was the capital of the former province of Berry.-History:...
branches off.
From Saincaize, the line follows the right Allier bank south. It passes through Moulins
Moulins, Allier
Moulins is a commune in central France, capital of the Allier department.Among its many tourist attractions are the Maison Mantin the Anne de Beaujeu Museum.-History:...
. At Saint-Germain-des-Fossés
Saint-Germain-des-Fossés
Saint-Germain-des-Fossés is a commune in the Allier department in central France.-Population:-References:*...
two lines to Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand is a city and commune of France, in the Auvergne region, with a population of 140,700 . Its metropolitan area had 409,558 inhabitants at the 1999 census. It is the prefecture of the Puy-de-Dôme department...
(one via Gannat
Gannat
Gannat is a commune in the Allier department in central France.Gannat was a sub-prefecture until 1926, with a population of around 5 800 inhabitants. There is a castle , two churches of which one is partly Romanesque with a 19th-century Gospel Book. The Cultures du Monde Festival is held every July...
, one via Vichy
Vichy
Vichy is a commune in the department of Allier in Auvergne in central France. It belongs to the historic province of Bourbonnais.It is known as a spa and resort town and was the de facto capital of Vichy France during the World War II Nazi German occupation from 1940 to 1944.The town's inhabitants...
) branch off. The Moret–Lyon railway leaves the Allier and turns east. It passes through the Monts de la Madeleine, northern foothills of the Massif Central
Massif Central
The Massif Central is an elevated region in south-central France, consisting of mountains and plateaux....
. It crosses the Loire between Roanne
Roanne
Roanne is a commune in the Loire department in central France.It is located northwest of Lyon on the Loire River.-Economy:...
and Le Coteau
Le Coteau
Le Coteau is a commune in the Loire department in central France.It lies about north-west of Lyon next to Roanne, with the river Loire in between....
, where the shorter line to Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
via Tarare
Tarare
Tarare is a commune in the Rhône department in eastern France.It lies on the Turdine river, 28 miles west-northwest of Lyon by rail.-History:Pop...
branches off.
This is where the oldest section of the line starts. It continues south, parallel to the Loire, passing through Feurs
Feurs
Feurs is a commune in the Loire department and in the Rhône-Alpes region in central France.The inhabitants of Feurs are called Foréziens.-History:The name Feurs derives from the Roman name of the town Forum Segusiavorum...
and along Andrézieux-Bouthéon
Andrézieux-Bouthéon
Andrézieux-Bouthéon is a commune of the Loire department in central France.-See also:* Saint-Étienne - Bouthéon Airport* Furan River* ASF Andrézieux* HEF Groupe*Communes of the Loire department...
, where it meets the line from Clermont-Ferrand via Montbrison
Montbrison
Montbrison is the name of several communes of France:* Montbrison, in the Loire département* Montbrison-sur-Lez, in the Drôme département...
. At Saint-Étienne
Saint-Étienne
Saint-Étienne is a city in eastern central France. It is located in the Massif Central, southwest of Lyon in the Rhône-Alpes region, along the trunk road that connects Toulouse with Lyon...
the line from Le Puy-en-Velay
Le Puy-en-Velay
Le Puy-en-Velay is a commune in the Haute-Loire department in south-central France.Its inhabitants are called Ponots.-History:Le Puy-en-Velay was a major bishopric in medieval France, founded early, though its early history is legendary...
joins, and the line continues northeast through Saint-Chamond
Saint-Chamond
Saint-Chamond is a commune in the Loire department in the Rhône-Alpes region in central France.-Overview:It is situated 13 km east of the city of Saint-Étienne and approximately 45 km southwest of Lyon...
and Rive-de-Gier
Rive-de-Gier
Rive-de-Gier is a commune in the Loire department in central France.The town is located on both sides of the river Gier. It's between Saint-Etienne and Lyon and had an important part during the French industrial revolution. Rive de Gier is a town in the French department of Loire, arrondissement...
. At Givors
Givors
Givors is a commune in the Rhône department in eastern France.It lies on the Rhône River about south of Lyon and on the main road between that city and Saint-Étienne. The city has long served as a crossroads between the communities of the Rhône River and those of the Loire River...
on the river Rhône
Rhône
Rhone can refer to:* Rhone, one of the major rivers of Europe, running through Switzerland and France* Rhône Glacier, the source of the Rhone River and one of the primary contributors to Lake Geneva in the far eastern end of the canton of Valais in Switzerland...
it turns north, finally arriving in Lyon after 492 km.
Main stations
The main stations on the Moret–Lyon railway are:- Gare de Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons
- Gare de NeversGare de NeversNevers is a railway station in Nevers, Bourgogne, France. The station opened on 5 October 1850 and is located on the Moret-Lyon, Vierzon - Saincaize, Nevers - Chagny and Clamecy - Nevers railway lines...
- Gare de Roanne
- Gare de Saint-Étienne-Châteaucreux
- Gare de Lyon-PerracheGare de Lyon-PerracheGare de Lyon-Perrache station is a large railway station in the quarter Perrache, in the 2nd arrondissement of Lyon, France. It is situated on the Paris–Marseille railway, and it is the western terminus of the Lyon–Geneva railway and the southeastern terminus of the Moret–Lyon railway. It was built...
History
The first railways that were opened in France were primarily meant for freight traffic in the mining area around the industrial city Saint-ÉtienneSaint-Étienne
Saint-Étienne is a city in eastern central France. It is located in the Massif Central, southwest of Lyon in the Rhône-Alpes region, along the trunk road that connects Toulouse with Lyon...
. These railways were united in the Compagnie du chemin de fer Grand-Central de France in 1853, and at the dissolution of that company in 1857 the eastern part of the Grand-Central network was bought by the Chemins de fer de Paris à Lyon et à la Méditerranée
Chemins de fer de Paris à Lyon et à la Méditerranée
The Compagnie des chemins de fer de Paris à Lyon et à la Méditerranée was a French railway company ....
.
The first section of the Moret–Lyon railway that was opened in 1828 led from Saint-Étienne to Saint-Just-sur-Loire
Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert
Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert is a commune in the Loire department in central France.-References:*...
. Saint-Étienne
Saint-Étienne
Saint-Étienne is a city in eastern central France. It is located in the Massif Central, southwest of Lyon in the Rhône-Alpes region, along the trunk road that connects Toulouse with Lyon...
and Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
were connected between 1830 and 1833. In 1834 the line was extended in northern direction from Saint-Just to Le Coteau
Le Coteau
Le Coteau is a commune in the Loire department in central France.It lies about north-west of Lyon next to Roanne, with the river Loire in between....
, near Roanne
Roanne
Roanne is a commune in the Loire department in central France.It is located northwest of Lyon on the Loire River.-Economy:...
. In 1850 a line from Nevers
Nevers
Nevers is a commune in – and the administrative capital of – the Nièvre department in the Bourgogne region in central France...
to Saincaize
Saincaize-Meauce
Saincaize-Meauce is a commune in the Nièvre department in central France.-References:*...
was built. This section was extended south to Varennes-sur-Allier
Varennes-sur-Allier
Varennes-sur-Allier is a commune in the Allier department in central France.-Population:-References:*...
in 1853, to Saint-Germain-des-Fossés
Saint-Germain-des-Fossés
Saint-Germain-des-Fossés is a commune in the Allier department in central France.-Population:-References:*...
in 1854 and to Lapalisse
Lapalisse
Lapalisse is a commune in the Allier department in central France.-Population:-References:*...
in 1857. Lapalisse and Le Coteau were connected in 1858. In the north, Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons on the Paris–Marseille railway
Paris–Marseille railway
The railway from Paris to Marseille is an important French 862-kilometre long railway line, that connects Paris to the southern port city Marseille via Dijon and Lyon. The railway was opened in several stages between 1847 and 1856, when the final section through Lyon was opened...
was connected to Montargis
Montargis
Montargis is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France. The town is located about south of Paris and east of Orléans in the Gâtinais....
in 1860. Finally in 1861 the section from Montargis to Nevers was opened.
Services
The Moret–Lyon railway is used by the following passenger services:- TGVTGVThe TGV is France's high-speed rail service, currently operated by SNCF Voyages, the long-distance rail branch of SNCF, the French national rail operator....
on the section between Saint-ÉtienneSaint-ÉtienneSaint-Étienne is a city in eastern central France. It is located in the Massif Central, southwest of Lyon in the Rhône-Alpes region, along the trunk road that connects Toulouse with Lyon...
and LyonLyonLyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais.... - IntercitésIntercitésIntercités is a brand name used by France’s national railway company, SNCF, to denote medium-distance passenger rail services in France. SNCF established the Intercités system in January 2006 as an upgrade of the former Corail network...
from Paris to NeversNeversNevers is a commune in – and the administrative capital of – the Nièvre department in the Bourgogne region in central France...
(on the section between Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons and Nevers), from BordeauxBordeauxBordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
to Lyon (section between Saint-Germain-des-FossésGare de Saint-Germain-des-FossésSaint-Germain-des-Fossés is a railway station in Saint-Germain-des-Fossés, Auvergne, France. The station opened on 18 June 1854 and is located on the Moret–Lyon, Saint-Germain-des-Fossés–Nîmes and Saint-Germain-des-Fossés–Clermont-Ferrand via Vichy railway lines...
and Le CoteauLe CoteauLe Coteau is a commune in the Loire department in central France.It lies about north-west of Lyon next to Roanne, with the river Loire in between....
) and from NantesNantesNantes is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, from the Atlantic coast. The city is the 6th largest in France, while its metropolitan area ranks 8th with over 800,000 inhabitants....
to Lyon (section between SaincaizeSaincaize-MeauceSaincaize-Meauce is a commune in the Nièvre department in central France.-References:*...
and Le Coteau) - TéozTéozTéoz is a brand name used by France’s national railway company, SNCF, to denote long-distance passenger rail services in France. SNCF established the Téoz system in 2003 as an upgrade of the former Corail network. Téoz services are interregional, unlike most TER services, and do not use the...
from Paris to Clermont-Ferrand (on the section between Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons and Saint-Germain-des-Fossés) - TER BourgogneTER BourgogneTER Bourgogne is the regional rail network serving the Burgundy region of France.- Rail:-Road:* Autun - Le Creusot-TGV* Paray-le-Monial - Le Creusot-TGV* Châtillon-sur-Seine - Montbard* Corbigny - Avallon - Montbard* Saulieu - Montbard...
, TER AuvergneTER AuvergneTER Auvergne is the regional rail network serving Auvergne région, France.- Rail :- Bus :* Arlanc - Ambert - Thiers - Vichy* Neussargues - Riom-ès-Montagnes - Bort-les-Orgues* Clermont-Ferrand - Bort-les-Orgues - Mauriac - Saint-Martin-Valmeroux...
and TER Rhône-Alpes regional services on the section between Cosne-sur-Loire and Lyon - TransilienTransilienThe Transilien is the brand name for suburban railway services of the SNCF-owned railway network operating within the Île-de-France région...
regional services on the section between Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons and MontargisGare de MontargisMontargis is a railway station in Montargis, Centre, France. The station is located on the Moret-Lyon railway. The station is served by Intercités and Transilien line R operated by SNCF.-Train Services:...