La gare de Sainte-Pazanne

Railway development

The first line to open to passenger traffic in France (Paris-Saint-Germain-en-Laye) was inaugurated on 26 August 1837.
Six main lines were created, including the one linking Paris to Nantes, a journey time of 13 hours. Numerous regional services were then set up, with the exception of the Pays de Retz. Communication routes in this area were few and far between and difficult to access.
Two men, Count Gustave de Juigné and Janvier de la Motte, saw the importance of the arrival of the railway in opening up the Pays de Retz. Several plans for the Pont-Rousseau/Pornic line were drawn up in collaboration with the town councils, the Loire-Inférieure General Council and the prefecture. The line would branch off to Machecoul at Sainte-Pazanne and to Paimboeuf at Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons.

The Pont-Rousseau-Pornic line was opened on 11 September 1875. At the time, the train's speed was 35km/h and the journey took 2h05.
Sainte-Pazanne station opened on 4 October 1875.

Sainte-Pazanne station 🚝

The station was built during the construction of the Nantes-Pornic railway line, taking passengers to the Atlantic coast. It is typical of the region's railway architecture (stone and brick). Technological advances have led to changes since the 19th century. The current station is still in its original building, but the ticket office has been closed to passengers since summer 2019.

The signal box, with its levers, has been replaced by computer systems. The signal gantry and the level crossing gates - which are cranked up - have also been replaced by automated systems.