Anecdote metro guide - activities

Did you know? There are a dozen ghost stations in Paris. Do you know them?

While many Parisians take the metro every day, few are aware that the capital is home to a dozen ghost stations. Operated then finally abandoned or never opened... what are these ghost stations and where are they located in Paris? We tell you all about them.

Did you know? The Place des Fêtes metro station was designed as an air-raid shelter.

Located on lines 7 bis and 11 of the Paris metro, Place des Fêtes station is far from being the busiest on the RATP network. Yet this station hides many secrets. With its unique architecture, Place des Fêtes station was designed as an air-raid shelter for the population. We explain.

RATP: in which metro stations can you borrow an umbrella?

After a successful trial in just a dozen Paris metro stations, RATP is extending its "umbrella loan" service to 340 stations and stations across its network. So, where can you find umbrellas in case of rain? And how does this service work? We tell you all about it.

Did you know? Serge le Lapin celebrates his 47th birthday - here's his story

With his big ears and invaluable advice, Serge le Lapin has been RATP's prevention mascot for almost 5 decades. On February 15, 2024, Serge the Rabbit celebrates his 47th birthday. But do you know his story, and why he's called Serge? We tell you.

Did you know? Why is the Tuileries metro station green?

Since June 2023, the Tuileries station on line 1 of the Paris metro has been astonishing with its verdant decor, the work of Cyprien Chabert echoing the Jardin des Tuileries. Note that this decoration is ephemeral and will remain in place until 2030.

Paris Metro: who was Aimé Césaire, the man who gave his name to a station on line 12?

On line 12 of the Paris metro, north of Paris in the town of Aubervilliers, you'll find the Aimé Césaire station. While many Parisians get on or off at this stop every day, few actually know the person who gave it its name.

Did you know? Why does Arts et Métiers station look like a submarine?

One of the most captivating stations in Paris, Arts et Métiers surprises with its unique design. Immerse yourself in the history of this transformed station, an architectural enigma in the heart of Paris.

Did you know? A metro ticket originally cost 15 centimes! A look back at its history

As you know, the Paris metro ticket is due to disappear. We take you on a journey through the history of this piece of cardboard, whose price has risen steadily over the years, until it will soon reach €4 for the Olympic Games. A look back at the history of the Paris metro ticket, from its creation in 1900 to its scheduled demise.

Did you know? This is the last of Hector Guimard's original Type B metro station aediculae.

Did you know? Hector Guimard's last surviving type B kiosk, nicknamed La Libellule, is located at Porte Dauphine station in Paris. This exceptional Parisian metro entrance is one of the last original vestiges, and we tell you all about it.

Paris Metro: why was Liège station a ghost station for nearly 30 years?

Ghost stations are part of Paris metro legend, and many people want to explore them, or at least see what a ghost station looks like from the inside. While there are still a dozen or so in Paris, some of the stations that have reopened today were closed for decades in the last century.

Metro: where does the iconic white tiling found in every station come from?

If you've taken one of the Paris metro lines, you've probably noticed the tiles found throughout the stations: rectangular in shape, varnished and often white in color.

Ghost metro stations: discover why Gambetta station is unique in Paris

Served by lines 3 and 3bis of the Paris metro, Gambetta is located in the 20th arrondissement, west of Paris.

Metro: why Georges V station almost didn't bear the British monarch's name

In the 8th arrondissement, on line 1 of the Paris metro, the Georges V station is located under the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, at the end of the Avenue Georges V.

Metro: who was Etienne Marcel, after whom the metro station is named?

If you've ever taken the Paris metro, and more specifically, line 4, chances are you've passed (or even got off) at the Etienne Marcel stop, on the border of the 1st and 2nd arrondissements. Yet few of us know the story of the man behind the name.

Paris Metro: who was Colonel Fabien, after whom the metro station is named?

Known as one of the stations on metro line 2, Colonel Fabien station is located on the boundary between the 10th and 19th arrondissements of Paris, just below the Place du Colonel-Fabien. Many commuters use the station on a daily basis, yet few know the identity of the man who gave his name to the square, and later to the station.

Why is the Barbara metro station named after the French singer-songwriter?

On line 4, the Barbara station is a nod to all the little girls and women with that name, but above all, to the famous French singer, famous for "Dis, quand reviendras-tu?".

Where does the name Alma-Marceau come from, given to the metro station on line 9?

Known for being served by line 9, its name is often pronounced without knowing the meaning behind Alma-Marceau: we explain it all in this article!

Do you know Guy Moquêt, the high school student who gave his name to the metro station?

If you regularly take line 13 on the Saint-Denis Université branch, you're used to passing Guy Moquêt station, in the 17th arrondissement. Behind the name of the station, there's above all the name of a Parisian high-school pupil, whose story we'd like you to discover.

Who is Monsieur Bienvenüe, after whom the metro station is named?

If you take the Paris metro on lines 6, 13, 4 or 12, you may have already got off at Montparnasse-Bienvenüe station, where you usually stop to enter the Montparnasse station in the south of Paris. But why call the station that?

Did you know? There is a subway washing machine in the Paris underground.

Have you ever seen a metro go through the washing machine? Under our feet, between Nation and the maintenance workshops on line 2, our trains are regularly sprayed to keep them clean!