Toulouse-Matabiau station

The historic hall – Hall 2 – had lost its original character following the 1980s renovations, which reflected the architectural trend of the time to conceal historical features. Ironically, this approach of hiding elements helped preserve traces of the past in good condition until their rediscovery. Original metal structures and mouldings have been restored, while missing capitals were reconstructed in plaster. Today, the mouldings echo the monumental joinery and enhance the clarity of essential information, including signage, the monumental clock, and screens. Above Hall 2, a panoramic 500 m² space has also been created, with significant efforts dedicated to restoring the original stained glass.

Inside the building, the choice of materials and colours has been simplified to achieve a sober aesthetic. Polished mirror finishes, selected in consultation with the Architect of French Buildings, reflect the flow of passengers and the lights of retail spaces, creating a dynamic atmosphere. This material was used for the monumental clock as well as the signage for shops on the historic façade.

Externally, the joinery and the canopy have also been restored. The monumental joinery on the Canal du Midi façade takes direct inspiration from the designs of the 1905 station, for both horizontal crossbars and vertical supports. The canopy’s brackets align with these vertical lines, while cantilevered glass panels lend a lighter, more modern appearance. The technique of hot riveting, popularised by Gustave Eiffel, was notably employed by SNCF Réseau teams, specialists in repairing metal structures using 19th-century artisanal methods, to restore the metal brackets.