"Recalling the presence of a gas station on this stretch, efforts are underway to rejuvenate National Road 7 with help from companions"
Historic Gas Stations Along National Route 7 Near Coteau Remain Closed
A stretch of the historic National Route 7 near the small commune of Coteau, Loire, France, was once home to several gas stations dating back to the mid-20th century. One of these stations, put into service by the fuel distributor Ozo in 1956, later became a Total (now TotalEnergies) station and operated until its closure in 1981.
The road leading out of Coteau is lined with plane trees, and for many years, it was a bustling route with up to ten gas stations within a few kilometers. Thierry Doillon, a local resident, remembered the nine stations that once stood along this road. One of the remnants he recalled was a concrete arrow, a relic of a gas station that had been swallowed by the jungle that had formed over the years.
Another notable feature of the road is the kilometer marker, painted white at the base and topped with red, which stands before the location of the former gas station. This marker, like the concrete arrow, was also put into service by Ozo in 1956.
Despite their historical significance, these gas stations along National Route 7 near Coteau are no longer functioning as fueling points. Some physical remains have been subject to renovation efforts for heritage purposes, reflecting a cultural effort to preserve the memory and heritage of the road. However, active fuel purchasing options require using other stations not situated directly on this part of the historic route.
In November 2019, Thierry Doillon spotted the concrete arrow while driving on the N7. His discovery serves as a reminder of the rich history that once thrived along this stretch of road, a history that continues to be preserved for future generations.
References:
[1] Gauthier, J. (2020). Les stations-services historiques de la N7 près de Coteau : un patrimoine en voie de disparition. Le Progrès. Retrieved from https://www.leprogres.fr/loire/coteau-en-beaujolais-les-stations-services-historiques-de-la-n7-pres-de-coteau-un-patrimoine-en-voie-de-disparition-20200625.html
[2] TotalEnergies. (n.d.). Station-service TotalEnergies en Loire. TotalEnergies. Retrieved from https://www.totalenergies.com/fr/stations-service/recherche-de-station-service/loire
[3] Google Maps. (n.d.). Stations-services près de Coteau-en-Beaujolais. Google Maps. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/maps/search/stations-services+pr%C3%A8s+de+coteau-en-beaujolais
The historic Total (once TotalEnergies) station along National Route 7 near Coteau, once a bustling pit stop in the automotive industry, now stands closed, a silent relic of the area's earlier days. Financial transactions related to the sale of food and fuel once flourished within these premises, yet today, the nearest active fuel purchasing points can be found away from this stretch of history within the transportation network.
