Reviving National Road 7: A reminder of the once-standing petrol station with some friends by its side.
In the heart of France, on the historic National 7 (Route Nationale 7), a stretch near the picturesque town of Coteau in Loire, an old gas station has been rediscovered after decades of being swallowed by nature.
The gas station, which was put into service by Ozo in 1956 and later taken over by Total (now TotalEnergies) in 1961, was definitively closed in 1981. For nearly four decades, it lay dormant, its once vibrant signs and pumps giving way to the encroaching vegetation.
The image of the old gas station being reclaimed by nature was striking to Thierry Doillon, a local resident who, in November 2019, spotted a concrete arrow while driving along the N7 with friends. Intrigued, they remembered that there was a gas station at that location. Upon further investigation, they discovered the concrete arrow near the old gas station, hidden in a jungle that had formed over time.
The asphalt ribbon on this stretch of the N7 is squeezed between a railway and modern public signs. Yet, the kilometer marker, painted red and white at the base, stands proudly in front of the old gas station site. This marker, a common sight along French highways, serves as a poignant reminder of the once bustling fuel stop.
The stretch of the N7 near Coteau is lined with plane trees, adding a touch of timeless beauty to the scene. Interestingly, there were nine similar gas stations on a few kilometers of the N7, each telling their own stories of a bygone era.
While specific details about this particular gas station, including its closure and rediscovery in 2019, are not extensively documented, it is not uncommon for such roadside establishments to be rediscovered or restored as part of cultural heritage or nostalgia for the era of classic road travel.
For more detailed information about this specific gas station near Roanne on the National 7, additional targeted sources or local historical archives would be necessary. If you're interested in exploring more about the rich history of French highways and their roadside attractions, I'd be happy to guide you on where to find such specialized historical or local information.
The old gas station on the National 7, originally serviced by Ozo and later taken over by TotalEnergies, could potentially be part of the transportation industry's history. In the coming years, with growing interest in preserving cultural heritage, this icon could find a new life, perhaps even becoming a finance-supported exhibit in the automotive sector.
