"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a
young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your
life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast."
– Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961), U.S. author.

Since Paris is such a compact city (roughly 6 miles across), much of it can be covered on foot – especially the primary sightseeing spots in the city's center. There will be times, however, when a métro or bus ride is unavoidable – and even welcome.

Wooden Métro cars placed
in service July, 1900
© Guillaume Potier
from Le Métro Parisien
(unofficial site)

History of the Métro

Evidence of plans to build the métropolitain (or the Nécropolitain, as it was dubbed by one wit) existed as early as 1845, though the first line was not completed until July 19, 1900. (Line 1, as it is still called, ran from Porte de Vincennes to Porte Maillot; it has since been extended – from Château de Vincennes to La Défense.) Following the construction of the Eiffel Tower by eleven years, this elegant transportation system stole the show, and remains to this day a model of efficient public transportation.

While the engineer Fulgence Bienvenüe was in charge of construction, architect Hector Guimard is credited for the charming and elaborately sculpted Art Nouveau entrances. The system boasts 213 km (132 miles) of track and 16 lines (including two auxiliary lines), shuttling 3553 cars on a precise schedule between 300 stations (not including RER stations), 87 of these offering connections between lines. It is said that every building in Paris is within 500 meters (3/10 mile) of a métro station. Roughly 6 million people per day patronize the métro, which employed 10,141 (not including RER) in 2010.

The transit authority which operates and maintains the city's métro system, lines A & B of the RER (express trains), an extensive bus network, and four tram lines is called Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens. The RATP was created on March 21, 1948, by combining the assets of the Compagnie du Chemin de Fer Métropolitain de Paris (CMP) and the Société des Transports en Commun de la Région Parisienne (STCRP). RATP reported a total of 3.1 billion passenger journeys in 2011 (all forms of transport).

Station Design

Monument aux morts, Richelieu-Drouot
métro station platform (line 8)

Some of the métro stations are worth a visit in their own right. For example, the stop for the Louvre (line 1) gives one the impression that the train has pulled into the Museum itself: the immaculate marble walls are lined with exhibits and replicas of art works, with glass cases containing various sculptures.

On a platform of the Richelieu-Drouot station (line 8) is a war memorial, carved in black marble by sculptor Carlo Sarrabezolles in 1931. It is dedicated to the agents of the metropolitan railway who died in service for France during World War I.

The Arts et Metiers (line 11) station's platforms were redesigned in 1994 by Belgian comic book artist François Schuiten. The ceiling and walls are clad with riveted copper, punctuated with faux portholes – reminiscent of a Jules Verne science fiction novel.

On line 13, Varenne offers exhibits from the nearby Rodin Museum (including a replica of The Thinker), while Liège is paneled with beautiful ceramic tiles donated by the Belgian government. Abbesses (line 12) features elaborate murals in its 7-story spiral staircase descending beneath one of the more elaborate of Art Nouveau entrances.

Station Names

• Stations are often named after the nearest square or street – which in turn may be named after an historic event or notable person.
• A number of stations, such as Avron or Vaugirard, are named after Paris neighborhoods (though not necessarily located in them), whose names, in turn, may be traced to former villages or hamlets that have long since been incorporated into the city of Paris.
• The use of double names, such as Reuilly – Diderot or Strasbourg – Saint-Denis, often dates back to two (or more) stations on separate lines that were originally named independently and became associated as interchange stations. For example, the station Marcadet – Poissonniers is an interchange station consisting of the original Marcadet on Line 4 and the original Poissonniers on Line 12. In many instances, however, the practice of double naming was extended to other stations, usually because these stations are located at the intersection of streets carrying these names. Examples include Alma – Marceau and Faidherbe – Chaligny.
• There have been periods of history during which a significant number of stations were renamed. For example, once Germany declared war on France in 1914, it was decided to rename Berlin as Liège and Allemagne (French for "Germany") as Jaurès. The period during which the most stations were renamed was undoubtedly the post-World War II period. To name a few, Marboeuf at the center of the Champs-Élysées was renamed Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1946 and Aubervilliers – Villette was renamed Stalingrad the same year.
• The RER-Métro hub at Châtelet – Les Halles is the largest underground subway station in the world, connecting 3 RER lines and 5 métro lines.

Travel Tips

Interior of a Sprague-Thomson first-class car,
seen during a special outing on 24 March 2007
(line 12) – note the leather seats

Though this author had to play the "dumb tourist" to avoid being severely fined by a contrôleur for riding in a first class car with a second-class ticket many years ago, the métro system – in a rare display of egalitarianism – did away with first class cars in August 1991.

A word of caution: though a single-fare ticket is valid for an entire continuous trip – including connections (up to 90 minutes) – be sure to keep your ticket until you leave the system at your destination; being caught without it means an instant fine of €40, payable in cash on the spot (unless you wish to acquaint yourself intimately with the French judicial system).

While Paris has a lower incidence of violent crime than most major cities, it is wise to keep your wits about you (particularly in the crowded venue of a métro station) and guard against pick-pockets, whose scams can be particularly creative at times. Perhaps as a testament to the Artful Dodger and Fagan's pick-pocketing ragamuffins in Oliver, the operatives ply their scam in pairs – frequently on the escalators on the way up to street level: One will stop suddenly at the top exit, as though he's dropped something; while you try to avoid running over him, you're jostled from the rear by the second one, who lifts your wallet.

It's recommended that gentlemen carry their wallets in their jacket's inner pocket, rather than in a rear pants pocket. Likewise, ladies should hold their purses in hand, instead of slung by their strap from the shoulders. (Thieves commonly cut the strap of a dangling purse with a utility knife.)

Should you happen to see everyone leaving a packed métro station following an announcement in French on the public address system, chances are you are witnessing one of their periodic strikes (or grèves). These manifestations occur from time to time when the unions are displeased with government, or during elections. Look at it this way: you'll get a chance to explore sections of Paris you might otherwise have only passed underground!

Maps & Directions

Métro automatique,
ligne Météor.
Station: Gare de Lyon
© F. de La Mure / M.A.E.

Signage in Paris métro stations is abundant and easily followed: every station offers a big plan of the network outside the entrance and several inside. Lines are color-coded and numbered, and are also named according to the city gate – or porte – at the end of the line.

For example, Line 4 running to the north will be indicated as going in the direction of Porte de Clignancourt, while southbound would be Porte d'Orléans. Some lines may end a few stops beyond the Periphérique (beltway surrounding Paris), into neighboring suburbs. Numerous interchanges (correspondances) make it possible to travel throughout the city in a more or less straight line. Châtelet has the longest interconnecting passageway between lines, with a 600-foot long moving sidewalk.

Free maps are also available at most stations, which provide the basics for navigation. If you want detailed breakdowns, we recommend the following, which are available at most newsstands and bookshops:

• Paris Plan par Arrondissement, le spécial poche (2012). Small paperback book with street index, detailed maps of each arrondissement showing métro / tramway / RER / Vélib' (bicycle) stations and taxi ranks, one-way & pedestrian streets, parking lots, maps of the Bois de Boulogne, Bois de Vincennes and La Défense, plus 9 pages of useful addresses. Editions Blay Foldex, priced around € 6.
• Paris Classique par Arrondissement. Pocket-sized, with fold-out map as well as more detailed maps of 20 arrondissements, 29 close suburbs, and index of streets. Editions L'Indispensable, priced around € 9.

For the latest in subway technology, try the express stations' computerized route-finders: at the touch of a button, you'll be shown four alternative routes to your selected destination, on foot or by public transport.

Online Route Finder

The RATP web site offers a helpful tool (in English or French) to assist in planning your route(s) throughout Paris and its suburbs. Using their advanced search form, enter your starting and destination points (either by street address, subway stop, or even by monument – such as Tour Eiffel), travel date & French time (based on a 24-hour clock), type of transport desired (bus, rail, tram), and personal preferences (such as quickest route, least amount of walking, etc.). The system will then produce a map suitable for printing, containing detailed text instructions (lines, stops, and transfers where applicable) and estimated travel times. To plan your return trip, simply perform a new search in reverse.

Do not be surprised to find French text sprinkled liberally throughout so-called "English-version" pages. The RATP spends a lot of time rearranging its content (often for inexplicable reasons), and its English versions have suffered as a result.

Wi-Fi Connections – Free & Fee-based

In addition to the many hundreds of wi-fi hotspots offered in parks, municipal buildings, cafés and restaurants across the city, Paris is also gaining some momentum with connectivity in its transportation hubs. In June 2012, the provider GOWEX announced coverage across parts of Paris' public transport system – including railway stations, commuter lines and bus stops. Paris' Métro stations already have wi-fi coverage courtesy of the service provider, SFR. However, SFR charges a premium for this service while GOWEX's offering is free.

As always, we advise users to exercise extreme caution when accessing the Internet via wi-fi, especially on free networks which often do not provide adequate levels of security against hackers and spoofers who can steal your banking and other passwords over the air. Be sure to install a competent personal VPN (Virtual Private Network) on your portable device or laptop computer before accessing any password-protected sites! Choose your VPN password carefully: 10 characters of mixed upper- and lower-case letters plus a string of difficult to guess numbers are best.

RATP Apps for iOS & Android

The RATP has released several apps for iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad and Android mobile devices:

• Paris Métro Map and Route Planner; free, 4½/5 stars – Whether you plan to visit the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre or Palace of Versailles, this highly-rated app will help you make the most of your time in the city; you'll never need a paper map again. Download for iOS.
• Paris Métro; $2.37, 4/5 stars – A superb map and route planner for the Paris Métro, RER and Tram transport systems. Download for Android.
• "J'aime ma ligne" (Love My Line); free, French only, 3½/5 stars – Practical and easy-to-use service lets you discover great places to visit along a given métro or RER-A,B line, including restaurants, cultural venues, and outdoor attractions. Download for iOS or Android. (see video)

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