Seven stops that will make you wish your trip lasted longer

A train station is usually a place we want to pass through as quickly as possible, but the new selection of the Prix Versailles for 2026 turns transit into an architectural attraction. There is no ranking from first to last on the list of the seven most beautiful new or renovated stations: all are finalists, and three special global awards will be presented in December. For travelers, the second message is more interesting - modern infrastructure no longer has to be just functional.

Europe is home to three striking examples. The Monte Sant'Angelo station in Naples, created in collaboration with artist Anish Kapoor and architectural teams, takes passengers 48 meters underground through monumental openings and rough, cavernous surfaces. The new Colosseo - Fori Imperiali station in Rome uses the descent to the platforms as a journey through history, with a frame of the Colosseum, while the expanded Part-Dieu station in Lyon is a response to the huge number of passengers, with more space and better connectivity to the city.

On other continents, architecture speaks a different language. Melbourne’s Town Hall has a cathedral-like subterranean hall, with tree-like columns and a copper vault. Two stations in Riyadh draw on local landscape and tradition: one on the topography of Mount Tuwaiq and Najdi ornamentation, the other on the lines of desert dunes. The LAX/Metro Transit Center in Los Angeles uses large canopies, natural ventilation, and solar panels to combine a distinctive form with reduced energy consumption.

The selection is not just a competition for photogenicity. The international jury of the Prix Versailles considers architectural excellence, innovation, relation to local culture and sustainability. This is important because a good station must simultaneously guide thousands of people, be understandable to a first-time traveler, connect different modes of transport and remain pleasant regardless of the crowds. A spectacular entrance is worth little if the transfers are unclear or accessibility is poor.

For a traveler, this list can be the start of a different city itinerary. Instead of treating the station as just an arrival point, set aside twenty minutes to explore the public spaces and connect it with a nearby neighborhood, museum, or walking route. Before you go, though, check which parts are open, whether you need to enter the platform area for sightseeing, and what the current traffic restrictions are. The best architecture doesn't slow down a journey - it gives it a good start.

Article prepared with the support of AI tools.