Every year since 2017 (apart from the years of confinement), the SNCF subsidiary which operates passenger stations has organized a contest on social networks to elect the most beautiful station in France.

While Metz-Ville occupied the first step of the podium for the first three editions, the city finally decided not to participate in the competition to give way to another station.

With more than 15,000 votes on this challenge, Limoges-Bénédictins station stands out this year ahead of Saint-Brieuc and Troyes. The capital of Limousin obtains almost 3 times more votes than its second runner-up.

A station located above the tracks

With more than 20% of the votes, Limoges-Bénédictins station won public favor on Facebook and Instagram. Gare & Connexions had previously selected a station for each of the French regions.

It must be said that the Limoges-Bénédictins station is easily recognizable thanks to its 67-meter-high bell tower, or 3 meters higher than that of the Gare de Lyon in Paris. There is a clock with four dials linked together to indicate the same time. This clock also has two specificities: it is graduated in Roman numerals except 4, written IIII (and not IV), to preserve all aesthetic harmony; and it displays 2 minutes in advance to ensure the punctuality of travelers.

The station also has the distinction of being built 7 meters above the level of the tracks (and not along the tracks like other stations). A 96-meter platform provides access to the platforms. Built in 1929, it is also distinguished by its dome, each corner of the wall of which bears a sculpture representing one of the four French provinces served by the railway company for the Paris-Orléans route (Limousin, Brittany, Touraine and Gascony).

The Limoges-Bénédictins station also appeared in the famous advertisements for Chanel N°5 perfume.