We use it every day, yet we know very little about thehistory of the Paris metro! It's one of the oldest networks in the world, first put into service on July 19, 1900. Powered entirely by electric traction, it comprises 205 km of electric lines linking 303 stations, themselves divided between 14 lines. Every day, more than 4 million Parisians and tourists pass through the corridors of the metro, unaware of the anecdotes hidden in the station where they find themselves.
How well do you know the rules of the metro? Which lines are automatic and which are air-conditioned? How much does a journey cost? Here are a few anecdotes and answers as we explore the Paris metro. And don't forget to keep to the right-hand side of the escalator and in the tunnels, at the risk of incurring the wrath of Parisians in a hurry! And don't miss the latest news on the Paris metro, which is the talk of the town all year round!
Paris: what is the priority order for a seat in public transportation?
Pregnant woman, elderly or disabled person… Several groups of people are entitled to claim seats in public transportation. But among them, who is given priority? [Read more]
Transport in Île-de-France: a train, metro or RER journey will now cost no more than €5
According to information from Le JDD, a fare shield is to be introduced on public transport in the Île-de-France region: from March 7, 2022, a journey on the metro, RER or train will cost no more than 5 euros for those without a Navigo pass. [Read more]
Travelling in Paris: which Navigo offer to choose, depending on the length of your stay?
Planning a trip to Paris soon? To visit the city, there's nothing better than taking the metro or the bus. Yes, but with which ticket? [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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?". [Read more]
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! [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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? [Read more]
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! [Read more]
Did you know? There are seven Guimard metro kiosks outside Paris. Find out where they are located.
The capital doesn't have a monopoly on Guimard metro kiosks, as seven of them have surprisingly found their way far from the capital, as part of artistic exchanges. Discover their locations around the world! [Read more]
Did you know? There is a ghost metro station under the Parc des Princes.
Paris-Saint-Germain fans wouldn't have minded a metro station just a stone's throw from the Parc des Princes. But for security reasons, Porte Molitor never opened and is now one of Paris's ghost stations! [Read more]
Did you know? Where are the last station manager's offices in the Paris metro?
Today, the surveillance of a metro station takes place out of sight. But until the 1970s, there was a stationmaster's office on the platform! Rare remnants of this feature can still be found at Sèvres-Babylone and Liège stations! [Read more]
Did you know? This metro stop is the largest ghost station in Paris.
If you squint your eyes as you pass between Strasbourg-Saint-Denis and République stations, you might see the ghostly station of Saint-Martin, the largest of the 12 abandoned stops on the Paris metro! [Read more]
Cluny - La Sorbonne: a ghost station for 49 years, here's why it's finally reopened
Located on line 10 of the Paris metro, Cluny - La Sorbonne was a notorious ghost station for almost 50 years. But do you know why this station finally reopened in 1988? We tell you! [Read more]
Paris: discover the most unusual entrances to the capital's metro stations
Parisian metro entrances come and go, but they're never the same! While you're undoubtedly familiar with the famous Guimard entrances, have you ever passed through one of these unusual and artistic stations? [Read more]
Did you know? Châtelet-Les Halles is the world's largest underground station.
Who hasn't got lost in the Châtelet-Les Halles metro station? You've got a good excuse, because this underground station is the biggest in Europe, and even in the world - a real labyrinth! [Read more]
Paris: discover the Paris metro's longest hidden connection
The Paris metro is so vast that many hidden connections are concealed throughout the network. And the longest connection isn't even indicated in the metro, at Saint-Augustin station on line 9! [Read more]
The most astonishing metro stations in Paris: the highest, the deepest...
Paris metro stations hide some amazing features that you'd never suspect when you take the train. Find out which metro station is the highest, the deepest or the least crowded! [Read more]
Thunderstorms: where does the water pouring into metro stations go?
Numerous videos showing the flooding of metro stations were posted on social networks during the heavy storms of August 16, 2022. But do you know how this water is evacuated? [Read more]
Paris transport: why don't the metro and RER run in the same direction?
If you regularly use Parisian public transport, you've probably already noticed that the metro and RER don't run in the same direction. But do you know why? [Read more]
Info Metro RER trains, closures, works and demonstrations in Paris this Saturday April 27th, 2024
In the blink of an eye, you'll have access to all the information you need about traffic in Paris, updated in real time. RATP Metro RER and Transilien, roadworks, traffic, major events and demonstrations, we give you all the practical information you need to know before going out in Paris this Saturday April 27th, 2024. [Read more]
