The Chemin de fer de Lyon à Avignon company was formed by deed of 22 March 1852 to operate railway lines from Lyon to Avignon, Marseille to Avignon, Alès to Beaucaire, Alès to the Grand'Combe mines, Montpellier to Celle, Montpellier to Nîmes, Rognac to Aix and Marseille to Toulon.[3] A law of 8 July 1852 approved merger of the companies of Avignon-Marseille, Montpellier-Sète, Gard and Montpellier-Nimes with the Lyon-Avignon company.[4] The law approved an agreement on 19 June 1852 between the Minister of Public Works and the Chemin de fer de Lyon à Avignon.[5]