A Stone Station Echoes of Yesteryear: Uncovering Pierrefonds' Secret Railway

Nestled on the outskirts of the Pierrefonds commune, in the heart of the Oise department, lies a silent sentinel -- the abandoned stone station. This architectural wonder, opened in 1884, with operations ceasing in 1940, stands as a relic of France's railway heritage. The peculiarity of this station lies in the unconventional choice of location, built not on common brick foundations, but on the site of the Beaudon, at kilometer 79.272 of the line between Rethondes and La Ferté-Milon. Rather than adopting the norm of bricks, curiously, architect Charles Lecoeur opted for stone, and the roof was fashioned from slate tiles. This station was a critical cog in the engine that aimed to link Amiens and Dijon, first manned on January 24, 1884, primarily fueled by the tourist traffic thriving around the Château de Pierrefonds and the spa.

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