Gare de Toulouse-Matabiau, Railway station in central Toulouse, France
Gare de Toulouse-Matabiau is a railway station in central Toulouse featuring a stone facade decorated with 26 regional coats of arms above its main entrance. The building spans multiple levels connected by passageways and elevators, serving eleven platforms total.
The station first opened in 1856 and was completely rebuilt between 1903 and 1905 under architect Marius Toudoire. Stone materials from the Roman city of Saintes were used during this major reconstruction.
The name Matabiau comes from Latin mata-bios, referring to the place where Saint Saturnin is said to have died. This connection to early Christian history remains part of how locals understand their station's identity.
Elevators serve platforms 8 through 11, and the station connects directly to the Toulouse Metro system for onward travel. Visitors should allow time to navigate the multiple levels and passageways to find their platform.
The station's facade was rebuilt using stone from a Roman city, giving it materials with ancient origins. This reuse of classical materials makes it an unusual example of early 20th-century railway architecture.
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