Historical funicular line in Laon

The line connects the lower town of Laon to the upper town over a 1.5 km distance, with a steep 13 percent gradient and three stations, including Vaux station. It operated from 1989 until 2016, using a unique system that blends metro and funicular features.

Design and construction history

The funicular was designed by a manufacturer based in Isère, known for mechanical lifts. It used tires pulled by a cable, with two funiculars connected at the middle station. The line followed the path of an old rack railway that had operated from 1899 to 1971, reusing its viaduct and tunnel.

Construction and funding

Construction of the line started in 1983 and took six years to complete. The state financed about 87 percent of the project, with support from the Ministry of Transport and the General Delegation for Scientific and Technical Research. The initial cost was announced at 100 million francs, though operating costs were not fully covered by revenue.

Operational figures and closure

The line carried around 1,500 passengers daily, according to one source, or 500,000 annually, according to a local official. These figures are not officially confirmed. In 2016, a major inspection estimated 15 million euros would be needed to bring the line up to standard, prompting its closure and replacement with buses.

Post-closure developments

After the closure, the line was provisionally preserved as a historical monument in March 2017, but parts like the cables and electrical systems were removed by late 2017. Vaux and Hôtel-de-ville stations were abandoned, while Gare station remained in use by a bus agency. A 2020 contract proposed transforming or destroying the rails, with a 2022 inspection focusing on reconversion rather than restarting service.

Current status and future plans

A greenway study was included in the 2023 city budget, and a written question brought the issue to the National Assembly in 2023. However, current sources do not confirm if demolition has started or if a greenway has been created. The line is unique in France, making its preservation or reuse particularly complex if its rails are ever removed.