Gare de Niort Mini Guide
The Station
Gare de Niort is a stop on the Paris to La Rochelle high speed TGV line. The station is not far from the train’s final destination at La Rochelle and is found close to the town centre of Niort in the Place Semard off the Route d’Aiffres. Last year over a million passengers used the station. There’s parking at the airport including disabled parking.
Getting There
The journey time from
Paris is a little over two hours and from
La Rochelle, around 20 minutes. There are also local trains that call at the station.
Getting to Your Destination
The station is near the centre of Niort and the routes out of the town are clearly signposted from the Place Semard. Car hire is available at the airport and the offices are found at the end of the station concourse next to the main booking office. Pre-booking is recommended as the locally held supply of cars is limited and can soon disappear at peak times.
Taxis run from the station too and for local destinations, can be a good value method of transport, especially if you are carrying luggage. The central bus station is found directly opposite the station and again has a variety of local and regional routes to choose from.
Public Information
There is no dedicated information point but asking at the ticket office usually suffices for local information. Accommodation can be arranged from the tourist information office in the Place Semard.
Shopping
There are no shops in the station apart from a newsagent but the streets off the Place Semard have a variety of high street shops to choose from.
Food and Drink
There are two food outlets at the station, one a restaurant/café and the other a snack takeaway outlet. If the fare on offer doesn’t inspire you there is a range of international and local restaurants off the Place Semard and within easy walking distance.
First Aid
The staff are trained in basic first aid and the station has a defibrillator which staff are trained to use.
The station has a free Wi-Fi hotspot.
There is a locker area where luggage can be left for a fee dependant on the size of the luggage.
Special Assistance
The station is prepared to receive passengers with reduced mobility having dedicated parking spaces, ramps and easy access toilets. Staff are on hand to assist passengers but 48 hours’ notice is appreciated so the station can be ready to help.
Niort has much to recommend it including the medieval part of town with stone or half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries along the Rue Victor Hugo and Rue St Jean. Walk from there to the triangular town hall with its beautiful exterior.
For an interesting museum trip, drive your hire car to the Market Hall which holds an extensive collection of costumes worn by locals up to the start of the 20th century. Finally, a leisurely drive along the River Sevre will give you a glimpse of the town’s former glories with the ruins of the glove factory.