After renovating the interior of the Gare de Lyon in Paris - in particular the fresco gallery and the Grand Voyageur lounge - SNCF Gares & Connexions is now tackling the following projects renovation of the Seine side of the building, overlooking rue de Bercy and the Bercy business district. The main aim of the transformation is to make it easier for passengers to identify the entrances located within this perimeter, while at the same time upgrading the 8,200 m2 located under the slab, which is currently not very attractive.
A consultation process has just been launched and will continue until 27 June, with the planned project involving on a total surface area of 20,400 m2 on 4 levels. The project includes the creation of shops, restaurants and services for passengers and local residents, as well as a new logistics area on the ground floor to handle the goods needed to operate the trains and the retail outlets at Gare de Lyon.
Improving intermodality and the environmental footprint
Above all, these works will provide an opportunity to improve traffic flows and to facilitating connections between different modes of urban transport In addition, the station will offer a wide range of services in and around the station (TGV, TER, RER, metro, bus, taxis, cycling, etc.). Plans include the creation of two vertical links between rue de Bercy and the RATP interchange, the introduction of more modern signage, and the installation of a vast 600-space cycle park. This will also make it easier to walk between Gare de Lyon and Gare d'Austerlitz. The traffic lane on rue de Bercy will also be redesigned to provide more generous pavements for passengers and passers-by.
The environmental aspect has not been forgotten in this project, with an architectural project that will be awarded the "green" label. Sustainable buildings in the Paris region" The project has been awarded the "eco-friendly" label, based on maximum redevelopment of the existing structure and compliance with 300 criteria grouped under 7 headings (energy, water, materials, project management, comfort, etc.). The terrace on the allée de Bercy will also be transformed into a planted walkway to provide extra coolness during hot spells.
A project already three years behind schedule
This is the second time that SNCF has launched a consultation to undertake redevelopment work in this area of Gare de Lyon. At the time of the July 2019 consultation, Gares & Connexions was planning to start work in 2021 for completion in 2025... Unfortunately, Covid has come up with a timetable that now calls for the building permit to be lodged at the end of 2023, work to start at the beginning of 2025 and the project to be completed in 2025. completion in 2028. With an architectural project costing a total of €64m, the project is set to be substantially amended. Given the boom in two-wheeled traffic, the number of bicycle spaces has already been increased by a third.
