Rotonde ferroviaire de Grigny, Railway roundhouse in Grigny, France.
The rotonde ferroviaire de Grigny is a circular locomotive maintenance building distinguished by its metal dome structure of approximately 55 meters in diameter. The facility spans around 9,000 square meters and displays the characteristic industrial architecture typical of 19th-century railway construction.
The structure was built in 1881 by the Paris-Lyon-Mediterranean Railway Company to serve as a locomotive maintenance depot and remained operational for over a century. Operations ceased in 2009 when the railway company no longer needed this facility.
The roundhouse was converted into an art exhibition space for the 2013 Lyon Contemporary Art Biennale, displaying modern installations within its vast circular structure. This transformation allowed the historic industrial building to serve a new creative purpose and attract art visitors.
The location sits along the railway line between Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons and Lyon and can be reached on foot or by bike while exploring the area. The site is fairly accessible and provides a good vantage point to observe the building's industrial architecture.
The building survived the 1944 aerial bombardments during World War II with its original structure largely intact, a testament to its solid construction. At its peak, the facility could accommodate and service around 72 locomotives at the same time.
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