Le Cendre-Orcet train station

Built in the 19th century, the Cendre-Orcet train station boosted the development of local companies.It features a neo-classical style.

The Cendre-Orcet station was built in 1854-1855 outside the village. Before it arrived, it took a week to reach Paris by carriage. By train the journey now took “only” 15 to 17 hours!

Until the middle of the 20th century, the station enabled goods such as wine and liquor to be carried beyond regional borders. These goods were previously transported via the river Allier, leaving the port of Pont-du-Château. The station partly explained the success of local companies such as Distillerie Grassion from 1885 and the former Sucrerie de Bourdon in Clermont-Ferrand. From the middle of the 20th century, transport of passengers took precedence over all other business.

The Cendre-Orcet station adopted a neoclassical architecture, a streamlined style where harmony of shapes and proportions was as important as symmetry. On the first level, three large bay windows gave access the station lobby. On the second level, rectangular windows were vertically aligned with the bay windows and featured a broad cornice at the top. Window frames, pilasters and storey separation cornices were made from Volvic stone and contrasted with the walls that are today covered with a clear coating. The Sarliève-Cournon station was built along the same lines.