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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Toulouse-Matabiau station, located in the eponymous district, was built between 1903 and 1905 by architect Marius Toudoire for the Compagnie des chemins de fer du Midi. It replaces a first station inaugurated in 1856, linked to the Bordeaux-Sète line, and is part of an extension project to meet the increase in rail traffic. The neoclassical building is distinguished by its stone facades of Saintonge and its metal halls covering the tracks. It is decorated with 26 coats of arms representing the cities served by the network.

The Matabiau district derives its name from the occitan mata buòu ("kill the beef"), evoking either a legend linked to Saint Saturnin or the old local slaughterhouses. The station became a strategic crossroads with the addition of the lines to Bayonne (1861-1867) and Brive-la-Gaillarde (1864). Nationalized in 1938 with the creation of the SNCF, it underwent a reorganization in 1983 before its inscription in historical monuments in 1984. Since 1990, it has hosted TGVs, reducing the journey to Paris to 4h17 in 2017.

A modernisation project, Neômatabiau (2021-2023), aims to adapt the station to the arrival of the Bordeaux-Toulouse LGV and the third metro line. The Grand Matabiau provides for four parvis, a Halle des Transports (2026-2028), and vegetation of the neighborhood. The number of visitors, estimated at 9 million in 2009, is expected to reach 16 million after these developments.

The station is a multimodal hub integrated into the urban network (metro, bus) and toll (cars, bus station). It serves national (Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux) and regional destinations (Tarbes, Rodez, Carcassonne), as well as international routes such as Barcelona (2013-2020). Its architecture and historical role make it a symbol of Toulouse's industrial heritage.

The coat of arms of the façade, installed in 1906, celebrate the cities connected by the Midi: Tarbes, Bayonne, Montpellier, or Foix. These decorative elements, combined with the clock and metal halls, illustrate the Company's architectural ambition. The station, a public property, remains a living place, combining passenger services, shops, and accessibility (Access Plus label).

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