Avenue de la Gare de l’Abbaye

Built in 1875 the Gare de l’Abbaye stands as a testament to time. It is the last remaining original station of the Ligne des Coquetiers. This unassuming railway station in Livry-Gargan has a rich history. It once boasted a level crossing. Maneuvering trains was facilitated by an 18-meter platform and a 310-meter service track. In 1922 the Chantiers de construction de l’Abbaye a company specializing in railway and tramway equipment was granted access. Its modest size makes it architecturally distinct from later stations. Those built by the Compagnie des chemins de fer de l’Est reflect that company’s style. The Gare de l’Abbaye however evokes the architectural characteristics of the suburban housing it helped to develop. The passenger building included a waiting room and a ticket office. The plastered facades were reinforced by a stone base. Brick framed the windows. The overhanging roof the bull’s-eye window and the slightly arched bays all contribute to its charm. It is representative of local stations from the second third of the 19th century. In December 2003 the station closed. The Bondy-Aulnay train line was transformed into a tram-train line. This involved doubling the tracks between Gargan and Aulnay rebuilding the viaduct over the RN3 widening the bridge over the Ourcq canal and converting level crossings into road intersections. Most of the old passenger buildings along the line were deemed obsolete. The Freinville-Sevran station was demolished. The Gargan station was converted into a line control center. Since the creation of the Réseau Ferré de France the SNCF retained ownership of the stations. RFF handled the infrastructure needed for train traffic such as the railway tracks. Because these stations were no longer needed the SNCF considered selling them. Offers were made to the municipalities involved. Only Pavillons-sous-Bois accepted the terms. Demolition permits were sought and obtained for the stations of Les Coquetiers Allée de la Tour-Rendez-vous and l’Abbaye. In February-March 2006 Le Parisien revealed that most of the historic stations on the Ligne des Coquetiers were threatened with demolition. A permit had already been granted for the Gare de l’Abbaye. This announcement sparked strong reactions within the community. A collective quickly formed to protect the station. They launched a petition and organized debates to raise awareness among the public and authorities. On March 10 2006 Le Parisien reported that Alain Calmat then mayor of Livry-Gargan requested a meeting with Louis Gallois president of the SNCF. The mayor also contacted the regional council president and the general council president to support his efforts. On March 30 2006 a working meeting at the town hall resulted in an agreement between Livry-Gargan and the SNCF. This ensured the preservation of the Gare de l’Abbaye. The demolition plans were scrapped. The station was established as a heritage site. The Gare de l’Abbaye continues to stand today a reminder of a bygone era.