Ozo Station

This station was built in 1956 and opened the following year under the OZO brand. It included a small accommodation, a technical room and an office. In 1961, it came under the control of Total until the end of its activity in 1981. In 1997, Total, which in the meantime had opened another service station 500 m away, sold it to the Loire department which had a project to bypass the city to the west. The project being abandoned, the latter sold it to the Costelloise municipality in 2004 which itself sold it in 2009 to Roannais Agglomération. This time, a craft zone project was planned but will not happen either. Twice resurrected, in 40 years, it has seen vandals, squatters and taggers pass by, not to mention the vegetation which had reclaimed its rights.

In 2020, the idea of ​​saving this unique building emerged. In 2021, we approached the municipality of Le Coteau then Roannais Agglomeration, then owner of the building. In the summer, we received permission to start work and a temporary use concession was signed between the two parties at the end of November.

Little by little, the station came to light: the road tracks were found, the location of petrol stations, etc. rubble and other filth, removing trees and vegetation that had grown from the roof.

From the beginning a Facebook group was opened and fifteen days later, it already had 1300 members: praise, encouragement but also people offering to help us either voluntarily or financially. We are currently at over 16 members. The Facebook page even made it possible to find the daughters of the station managers! Beyond social networks, we have witnessed a real media frenzy: FR700, Le Progrès, AFP, TF3, RMC, France 1, Nice Matin, Le Figaro, Le Télégramme de Brest, Les Dernieres Nouvelles d'Alsace, local radio etc. and even "The Connection" monthly for all British people living in France, not to mention Arab News!

This craze is related to the Nationale 7. At the beginning of the 7th century, the automobile was invented, then paid holidays. So the departures on vacation and the traffic jams... Some do not hesitate to plunge back into this atmosphere of the "glorious thirties" by making a real pilgrimage on what was at the time the backbone of France, the road of the holidays , National XNUMX.
The French Federation of Vintage Vehicles has also recognized it as a remarkable element of French road heritage. During a ceremony, on November 23, 2021, a commemorative plaque was affixed, The FFVE plaque brings this small station into the "big leagues" of places in automotive history in the same way as the Berliet factories de Vénissieux or the racing circuit of Albi for example.

By restoring this station and returning it to its original configuration, it is this spirit that the association wants to revive. If the station will become its head office, it will also be, open to all, a place of meetings, exchanges, temporary exhibitions for all enthusiasts. A picnic stop is also planned under the grove that we have voluntarily left. In fine weather, we also want to rediscover the "vintage spirit" by welcoming musical and theatrical groups. This station must become the place to go, the place to be! Already, while we are only at the beginning, we receive the visit of many vintage cars which come to be photographed, some not hesitating to make a huge detour to see THE station!

The reconstruction and restoration phase that is beginning will of course depend on the aid we receive. The Department of Public Finances of the Loire has just recognized our association of General Interest. Thanks to the online kitty opened with Urgences Patrimoine since the beginning of October 2021 and then this recognition of general interest, more than €35 in donations have already been collected. To this must be added the help of many companies, the sale of by-products from the station, the proceeds of events organized by the association as well as the granting of subsidies from local authorities (000 € from the region , 3000 € from the town hall of Le Coteau, 2500 € from Roannais Agglomeration, 7200 € from the personal kitty of Departmental Councilor Daniel Frechet). Most of the exterior work has been done, now remains to fit out the interior, which should serve as a showcase for the exhibitions.

Since then, the station has become the venue for organizing the Route Bleue festival and the historic climb to Vendranges and Pin Bouchain on the RN7.

• Groups of 10 to 100 people welcome.

Free

Free.
Group rate from 10 people.

Services

• Pet Friendly
• Guided tours