Opening of the station 20 juillet 1857 (≈ 1857)
Opening by Compagnie Lyon-Geneva.
1858
Purchase by PLM
Purchase by PLM 1858 (≈ 1858)
Extension to Chambéry after 1860.
années 1930–1950
Progressive electrification
Progressive electrification années 1930–1950 (≈ 1940)
Switch to 1,500 V continuous.
23 janvier 2009
Partial classification
Partial classification 23 janvier 2009 (≈ 2009)
Registration of the vestibule to the Historical Monuments.
2009
Demolition of the central building
Demolition of the central building 2009 (≈ 2009)
Disappeared from the historical heart.
décembre 2010
End of TGV stops
End of TGV stops décembre 2010 (≈ 2010)
Reduction of main lines links.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The facades and roofs of the building of the station corresponding to the old entrance and exit hall of the passengers (not cadastral box): inscription by order of 23 January 2009
Key figures
Compagnie du chemin de fer de Lyon à Genève - Initial constructor
The station of Culoz, located in the Ain department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, was inaugurated on 20 July 1857 by the Compagnie du chemin de fer de Lyon in Geneva. It then marked the border between France and the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardaigne (Savoie), requiring specific customs infrastructure, including a metal viaduct on the Rhône and a large central building for controls. The latter, accompanied by a street-side vestibule, reflected a regionalist style with woodwork evoking mountain chalets, and an overflowing building roof.
In 1858, the line was bought by the PLM (Paris-Lyon-Mediterranean), which extended the network to Chambéry after the annexation of Savoie in 1860. The station became a strategic node, linking Lyon to Geneva and the Maurienne. Its technical peak occurred in the 20th century with progressive electrification ( 1930-1950), installation of an automatic light block (1967), and modernization of the tracks in the 1970s–1980s to accommodate TGVs. The decline in customs activities and the abolition of certain trains (such as the Paris-Geneva TGV in 2010) reduced its operational importance.
The architectural heritage of Culoz was partially preserved: the street-side vestibule, with its wooden facades and roofs, was inscribed in the Historical Monuments on 23 January 2009. On the other hand, the central building between the tracks, despite its historical interest, was demolished in 2009 for lack of protection. Today, the station remains a key point of the TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes network, serving Lyon, Geneva, Annecy and Chambéry, while maintaining traces of its border past, such as the metal bridge connecting its docks.
The station also houses an industrial branch line for the EMS, specializing in the removal and dismantling of rolling stock (TGV). Its history illustrates the changes in rail transport, between 19th century heritage and contemporary adaptations. The current, mainly regional, attendance contrasts with its past international role, marked by mythical trains such as the Catalan TEE (1965–1969).
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