The Le Coteau train station, once solely a railway point, is entering a new era with the official opening of "Le Quai des Arts" on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. This innovative exhibition space is the result of a collaboration between the City of Le Coteau, SNCF Gares & Connexions, and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region.
Initial ideas to revitalize the station's disused premises date back to 2017. The project took shape in 2021 when SNCF Gares & Connexions launched a call for projects. Following the selection of the City of Le Coteau's proposal, an agreement was signed in January 2023. Comprehensive renovation works on the building took place from July 2025 to June 2026.
Sandra Creuzet-Taite, the mayor of Le Coteau, expressed her delight at the inauguration, praising the "superb" name "Le Quai des Arts" which "fits the station like a glove." She emphasized the municipal goal of transforming this railway heritage into a place for encounters and creation, open to associations and residents.
This ambition is already becoming a reality with several initiatives. At the end of September, an artwork by Marianne Vieulès, paying tribute to Pierre Troisgros, was presented near the station. A photographic exhibition focused on Le Coteau also met with great success. The Salon d’automne des Artistes Costellois and the association "Le Coteau d’hier et de demain" will also utilize this new space.
Marie-Laure Reype-Allarousse, regional representative for SNCF Gares & Connexions, described the achievement as a "beautiful collective adventure," highlighting the collaborative effort and the financial support from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region. This project aligns with the national "Place de la Gare" program, aimed at repurposing available railway spaces into vibrant community hubs.
