Paris–Strasbourg railway
Encyclopedia
The railway from Paris to Strasbourg is an important French
493-kilometre long railway line, that connects Paris
to the eastern city Strasbourg
via Châlons-en-Champagne
and Nancy. Officially, the line does not start at the Gare de l'Est
in Paris: the first 9 km until Noisy-le-Sec
are shared with the railway
from Paris to Mulhouse
. The railway was opened in several stages between 1849 and 1852. The opening of the LGV Est
high speed line from Paris to Baudrecourt in Lorraine in 2007 has decreased the importance of the section Paris–Sarrebourg for passenger traffic.
at Noisy-le-Sec
. It continues in eastern direction, following the river Marne upstream and crossing it several times. The main stations along this section are Meaux
, Château-Thierry
, Épernay
, Châlons-en-Champagne
and
Vitry-le-François
. After Vitry, it continues east, following the small rivers Saulx and Ornain
upstream. It passes Bar-le-Duc
, and crosses the river Meuse near Commercy
. It enters the Moselle valley at Toul
, and follows the Moselle downstream until Frouard
.
The railway continues upstream along the river Meurthe, through Nancy
and Lunéville
. It continues east through Sarrebourg
, and crosses the main Vosges Mountains
ridge near Saverne
. It descends along the small river Zorn until Brumath
, where it turns south and enters the agglomeration of Strasbourg
.
in 1854. The first section that was opened in 1849 led from Paris to Châlons-sur-Marne
. In 1850 a line from Nancy to Frouard
, and a line from Châlons to Vitry-le-François
were built. In 1851 a line from Vitry-le-François to Commercy
, and a line from Sarrebourg
to Strasbourg
were built. Finally in 1852 the sections between Commercy and Frouard, and between Nancy and Sarrebourg were opened.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
493-kilometre long railway line, that connects Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to the eastern city Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
via Châlons-en-Champagne
Châlons-en-Champagne
Châlons-en-Champagne is a city in France. It is the capital of both the department of Marne and the region of Champagne-Ardenne, despite being only a quarter the size of the city of Reims....
and Nancy. Officially, the line does not start at the Gare de l'Est
Gare de l'Est
is one of the six large SNCF termini in Paris. It is in the 10th arrondissement, not far from the Gare du Nord, facing the Boulevard de Strasbourg, part of the north-south axis of Paris created by Baron Haussmann...
in Paris: the first 9 km until Noisy-le-Sec
Noisy-le-Sec (Paris RER)
Noisy-le-Sec is a French railway station at Noisy-le-Sec . It has long functioned as an important depot and marshalling yard, making it a major railway node. It is currently served by RER E services and tramway Line 1....
are shared with the railway
Paris–Mulhouse railway
The railway from Paris to Mulhouse is an important French 491-kilometre long railway line, that connects Paris to the eastern city Mulhouse via Troyes, Chaumont and Belfort. The railway was opened in several stages between 1848 and 1858.-Route:...
from Paris to Mulhouse
Mulhouse
Mulhouse |mill]] hamlet) is a city and commune in eastern France, close to the Swiss and German borders. With a population of 110,514 and 278,206 inhabitants in the metropolitan area in 2006, it is the largest city in the Haut-Rhin département, and the second largest in the Alsace region after...
. The railway was opened in several stages between 1849 and 1852. The opening of the LGV Est
LGV Est
The LGV Est européenne is an extension to the French high-speed rail network, connecting currently Vaires-sur-Marne and Baudrecourt , and later Vaires-sur-Marne and Vendenheim . , it is the newest high-speed line in France and still under construction, with of a planned in service...
high speed line from Paris to Baudrecourt in Lorraine in 2007 has decreased the importance of the section Paris–Sarrebourg for passenger traffic.
Route
The Paris–Strasbourg railway branches off the Paris–Mulhouse railwayParis–Mulhouse railway
The railway from Paris to Mulhouse is an important French 491-kilometre long railway line, that connects Paris to the eastern city Mulhouse via Troyes, Chaumont and Belfort. The railway was opened in several stages between 1848 and 1858.-Route:...
at Noisy-le-Sec
Noisy-le-Sec
Noisy-le-Sec is a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-Heraldry:-Transport:Noisy-le-Sec is served by Noisy-le-Sec station on Paris RER line E.-Personalities:*Hassoun Camara,footballer...
. It continues in eastern direction, following the river Marne upstream and crossing it several times. The main stations along this section are Meaux
Gare de Meaux
Meaux is a railway station serving Meaux, Seine-et-Marne department, northern France. It is situated on the Paris–Strasbourg railway, and offers connections to Paris-Est, Château-Thierry and La Ferté-Milon.- Services :Train services go:...
, Château-Thierry
Gare de Château-Thierry
Château-Thierry railway station is a railway station serving Château-Thierry, Aisne department, northern France. It is situated on the Paris–Strasbourg railway between Paris-Est and Épernay.-References:*...
, Épernay
Épernay
Épernay is a commune in the Marne department in northern France. Épernay is located some 130 km north-east of Paris on the main line of the Eastern railway to Strasbourg...
, Châlons-en-Champagne
Gare de Châlons-en-Champagne
Gare de Châlons-en-Champagne is a railway station serving the town Châlons-en-Champagne, Marne department, eastern France. It is situated on the Paris–Strasbourg railway.-Services:-References:*...
and
Vitry-le-François
Gare de Vitry-le-François
Gare de Vitry-le-François is a railway station serving the town Vitry-le-François, Marne department, eastern France. It is situated on the Paris–Strasbourg railway.-Services:-References:*...
. After Vitry, it continues east, following the small rivers Saulx and Ornain
Ornain
The Ornain is a 116 km long river in northeastern France, right tributary of the Saulx . It is formed near the village Gondrecourt-le-Château by the confluence of the small rivers Ognon and Maldite. It flows generally northwest...
upstream. It passes Bar-le-Duc
Bar-le-Duc
Bar-le-Duc, formerly known as Bar, is a commune in the Meuse département, of which it is the préfecture . The department is in Lorraine in north-eastern France-Geography:...
, and crosses the river Meuse near Commercy
Commercy
Commercy is a commune in the Meuse department in Lorraine in north-eastern France.It is the home of the madeleines referred to by Marcel Proust in A la Recherche du Temps Perdu.-History:...
. It enters the Moselle valley at Toul
Toul
Toul is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:Toul is located between Commercy and Nancy, and situated between the Moselle River and the Canal de la Marne au Rhin....
, and follows the Moselle downstream until Frouard
Frouard
Frouard is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in the region of Lorraine, north-eastern France. It is located 10 km north of Nancy near the confluence of the Moselle and Meurthe. It is noted for its Medieval mill; and was latterly a steel industry centre...
.
The railway continues upstream along the river Meurthe, through Nancy
Gare de Nancy-Ville
Gare de Nancy-Ville is the main railway station serving the city Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle department, northeastern France. It is situated on the Paris–Strasbourg railway.-Services:-References:*...
and Lunéville
Lunéville
Lunéville is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department and lies on the Meurthe River.-History:...
. It continues east through Sarrebourg
Sarrebourg
Sarrebourg is a commune in the Moselle department in Lorraine in north-eastern France. It lies in on the upper course of the river Sarre.It should not be confused with Saarburg in Germany....
, and crosses the main Vosges Mountains
Vosges mountains
For the department of France of the same name, see Vosges.The Vosges are a range of low mountains in eastern France, near its border with Germany. They extend along the west side of the Rhine valley in a northnortheast direction, mainly from Belfort to Saverne...
ridge near Saverne
Saverne
Saverne is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France. It is situated on the Rhine-Marne canal at the foot of a pass over the Vosges Mountains, and 45 km N.W...
. It descends along the small river Zorn until Brumath
Brumath
Brumath, also Brumpt, is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.-History:Brumath occupies the site of the Roman Brocomagus....
, where it turns south and enters the agglomeration of Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
.
Main stations
The main stations on the Paris–Strasbourg railway are:- Gare de Châlons-en-ChampagneGare de Châlons-en-ChampagneGare de Châlons-en-Champagne is a railway station serving the town Châlons-en-Champagne, Marne department, eastern France. It is situated on the Paris–Strasbourg railway.-Services:-References:*...
- Gare de Nancy-VilleGare de Nancy-VilleGare de Nancy-Ville is the main railway station serving the city Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle department, northeastern France. It is situated on the Paris–Strasbourg railway.-Services:-References:*...
- Gare de StrasbourgGare de StrasbourgGare de Strasbourg is a rail station in the commune of Strasbourg, in Bas-Rhin, France. It is the eastern terminus of the Paris–Strasbourg railway.- Services :The station is the main station in Strasbourg and one of the main stations in the east of France....
History
The railway Paris–Strasbourg had already been planned in 1833, and its route had been defined in 1844. It was built and exploited by the Compagnie du chemin de fer de Paris à Strasbourg, that became part of Chemins de fer de l'EstChemins de fer de l'Est
The Compagnie des chemins de fer de l'Est , often referred to simply as the Est company, was an early French railway company. The company was formed in 1853 by fusion from Compagnie de Paris à Strasbourg, operating the Paris-Strasbourg line, and Compagnie du chemin de fer de Montereau à Troyes...
in 1854. The first section that was opened in 1849 led from Paris to Châlons-sur-Marne
Châlons-en-Champagne
Châlons-en-Champagne is a city in France. It is the capital of both the department of Marne and the region of Champagne-Ardenne, despite being only a quarter the size of the city of Reims....
. In 1850 a line from Nancy to Frouard
Frouard
Frouard is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in the region of Lorraine, north-eastern France. It is located 10 km north of Nancy near the confluence of the Moselle and Meurthe. It is noted for its Medieval mill; and was latterly a steel industry centre...
, and a line from Châlons to Vitry-le-François
Vitry-le-François
Vitry-le-François is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France. It is located on the Marne River and is the western terminus of the Marne-Rhine Canal.- History :In 1142, Louis VII invaded Champagne and seized Vitry-le-François...
were built. In 1851 a line from Vitry-le-François to Commercy
Commercy
Commercy is a commune in the Meuse department in Lorraine in north-eastern France.It is the home of the madeleines referred to by Marcel Proust in A la Recherche du Temps Perdu.-History:...
, and a line from Sarrebourg
Sarrebourg
Sarrebourg is a commune in the Moselle department in Lorraine in north-eastern France. It lies in on the upper course of the river Sarre.It should not be confused with Saarburg in Germany....
to Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
were built. Finally in 1852 the sections between Commercy and Frouard, and between Nancy and Sarrebourg were opened.
Services
The Paris–Strasbourg railway is used by the following passenger services:- TGVTGVThe TGV is France's high-speed rail service, currently operated by SNCF Voyages, the long-distance rail branch of SNCF, the French national rail operator....
on the sections from Paris to Vaires-sur-MarneVaires-sur-MarneVaires-sur-Marne is a commune in the Seine-et-Marne department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France.-External links:* * *...
, from Châlons-en-Champagne to Bar-le-Duc, from Frouard to Nancy, and from Sarrebourg to Strasbourg - ICE Paris–Munich on the sections from Paris to Vaires-sur-Marne, and from Sarrebourg to Strasbourg
- TER Champagne-Ardenne, TER LorraineTER LorraineTER Lorraine is the regional rail network serving Lorraine region, France.- Rail:-Road:* Thionville - Bouzonville - Creutzwald* Remiremont - Bussang* Remiremont - La Bresse - Gerardmer* Epinal - Mirecourt - Vittel - Neufchâteau...
and TER AlsaceTER AlsaceTER Alsace is the regional rail network serving the région of Alsace, eastern France.- Rail:-Road:* Cernay - Sewen* Colmar - Turckheim - Munster - Metzeral* Colmar - Volgelsheim* Haguenau - Niederbronn - Bitche...
regional services on the whole line - TransilienTransilienThe Transilien is the brand name for suburban railway services of the SNCF-owned railway network operating within the Île-de-France région...
regional services on the section between Paris and Château-ThierryGare de Château-ThierryChâteau-Thierry railway station is a railway station serving Château-Thierry, Aisne department, northern France. It is situated on the Paris–Strasbourg railway between Paris-Est and Épernay.-References:*... - RER ERER EThe RER E is one of the five lines in the RER rapid transit system serving :Paris, France. The line runs from the western terminus Haussmann St-Lazare to the eastern terminuses Chelles-Gournay and Tournan...
Paris rapid transit on the section between Paris and Chelles-GournayGare de Chelles-GournayChelles-Gournay is a railway station in Chelles and Gournay-sur-Marne, Paris, Île-de-France, France. The station opened in 1849 and is located on the Paris Est - Strasbourg railway line...