Welcome to Strasbourg, the end of your patience. With its 29 million annual travelers – and an even brighter future ahead – the station could no longer pretend. Too small, too crowded, too outdated, it's about to enter a new era, the 360° Station. A catchy code name for a monumental project: completely rethinking this railway hub, which has become one of the busiest in France (outside of Île-de-France), right behind Lyon and Lille.
© Lise Leménorel / Arep
First big improvement on the rails: a brand new parking lot with 600 spaces planned behind the station. This isn't just a patch of concrete to store cars: we're talking about a multimodal hub with a drop-off area, taxi zone, and a bike garage with 200 spaces. The cherry on top: it will be directly connected to major roadways like the M35, making access smoother. Alright, you'll need to walk a little—about 5 to 8 minutes—to reach the station hall, but if it helps reduce the current chaos, we're all in!
A view of the northern access to the station, Rue du Rempart. Photo : Lise Leménorel / Arep
A big makeover that will take its time
Another hot spot : the Post Tunnel, an old underground corridor that has never seen a single traveler’s foot, will finally emerge from the shadows. Located across from tram line C, it will help ease congestion in the three other tunnels during peak hours. And this is just the beginning : a dedicated platform for intercity buses is also planned, making the area more understandable and connected.
A view of the access to the station from Wodli Street.Photo: Lise Leménorel / Arep
But no need to rush. This renovation will happen in phases. The first wave of improvements is planned between 2030 and 2032, especially for the parking area. As for the big part – a larger, more accessible station – we'll have to wait until 2050. That’s a marathon, not a sprint! But in the long run, Strasbourg could very well become a model for a European smart city… with trains that are always on time, we hope!