Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Bordeaux-Bastide railway station, formerly the Orléans railway station, was inaugurated on 20 September 1852 to accommodate the Paris-Bordeaux railway. Located on the Quai des Queyries in the Bastide district, it marked the 581.7 kilometre point of the Lormont to Bordeaux-Bastide line. Its neo-classical architecture, designed by architect Darru and engineer Pépin-le-Haleur, makes it a typical example of the 19th century head end stations, with a U-shaped plan and a facade decorated with corner pavilions and a half-rosace.

From its opening, the station played a key role in the French railway network. In 1853, it welcomed the first trains from Paris, and in 1860, the bridge over the Garonne (called the Eiffel Bridge) allowed a connection with the Saint-Jean station. By 1861, however, some of its passenger traffic was transferred to the latter, reducing its importance. The station kept local traffic until 1951, before being abandoned in 1990 after the destruction of its metal hall in 1950.

The building, now owned by Bordeaux Métropole, has been partially preserved. Its facades, roofs, and waiting rooms of the north wing (with their original decoration) have been classified as historical monuments since 1984. The adjacent freight station, dismantled from 2014, has given way to modern infrastructure, while the former passenger station has been converted into a space dedicated to cinema and catering, reflecting its adaptation to contemporary heritage.

Its architecture reflects Bordeaux neo-classicism, with elements such as doric columns, pilasters, and openings in the middle of the wall. Despite the disappearance of some elements (memoral status, hall), the site remains a symbol of French railway history. The station is also linked to figures such as architect Darru, who designed his plans between 1851 and 1853, and engineer Pépin-le-Haleur, a collaborator on the project.

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