The origins of the Cité du Train trace back to the early 1960s, when the French National Railway Company (SNCF) began considering the preservation of its historic rolling stock. In 1961, the city of Mulhouse offered land in Dornach to host this collection [1]. By 1971, the first locomotives were temporarily housed in the old Mulhouse-Nord engine shed, marking the beginning of what would become one of the largest railway museums in the world.
The museum officially opened to the public in 1983, attracting around 240,000 visitors annually [1]. It was initially known as the Musée Français du Chemin de Fer and showcased a growing collection of locomotives and railway artifacts. As interest waned in the 1990s, the museum underwent a major transformation. In 1999, management was transferred to Culture Espaces, which also operated the nearby Cité de l’Automobile, allowing for a more dynamic and engaging visitor experience.
A significant renovation followed, funded by national, regional, and local authorities, totaling €8.6 million [1]. Architect François Seigneur designed a new exhibition hall titled Le siècle d’or du chemin de fer (The Golden Century of Railway), which opened in the early 2000s. This immersive space covered historical developments from 1860 to 1940 and added 25 new exhibits, bringing the total to over 100. The museum also introduced interactive displays and thematic rooms to enhance educational value.
In 2005, the museum was officially renamed Cité du Train, reflecting its broader mission to celebrate railway heritage in a modern and accessible way [1]. The museum continued to expand, adding features like the “Show Circuit” and “Platforms of History,” which offered theatrical and chronological presentations of railway evolution. These additions helped reestablish the museum as a cultural landmark and educational hub.
Today, the Cité du Train spans 60,000 square meters, with 35,000 square meters dedicated to exhibitions [1]. It remains one of the largest railway museums globally and a key institution for preserving France’s industrial and transport history. Through its extensive collection and innovative displays, the museum offers a vivid journey through two centuries of rail travel, from steam engines to high-speed TGVs.
