Trystan Casey
The Paris Métro is a rapid transit system that serves the city of Paris and is the second busiest metro system in Europe. The first line of the underground subway system (now called Line 1) began operation in 1900, and today the Paris Metro has grown to include 14 lines that connect Paris via its subterranean tunnels. The trains are powered by electricity supplied by a third rail which carries 750 volts DC. The Paris Metro runs from approximately 5:30 a.m. to 12:40 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and from 5:30 a.m. to 1:40 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and days before holidays. The Paris Metro is one of the oldest and largest metro systems in the world, with over 300 stations and 136 miles of track.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Electric |
| Number of Lines | 14 interconnected lines and 4 under construction |
| Length of Track | 136 miles (214-219 km) |
| Number of Stations | 303 |
| Frequency | Every 2-4 minutes during the day, every 6-12 minutes at night |
| First Line | Opened on 19 July 1900 |
| Operating Hours | 5:30 a.m. to 1:15 a.m. (till 2:15 a.m. on Friday and Saturday) |
| Ticket Price | €1.70-€1.90 for a single ticket |
| Safety | Considered one of the best in terms of safety, service density, and frequency |
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What You'll Learn
Paris Metro: History and Development
The Paris Métro is a rapid transit system serving the Paris metropolitan area in France. It is a symbol of the city, known for its density, uniform architecture, and Art Nouveau-influenced historical entrances. The system is mostly underground, spanning 245.6 kilometres with 321 stations, 61 of which allow transfers between lines. The Paris Métro is the second busiest metro system in Europe, with over four million passengers daily, and is reputed to be one of the best transport systems in terms of service density, frequency, and safety.
The Paris Métro was conceived by French engineer Fulgence Bienvenüe in 1895. Unlike many other subway systems, it was designed as a unified system, initially comprising nine lines. A private-public arrangement was required for such a large project. The city would build most of the infrastructure, while a private company would supply the trains and power stations and lease the system. In July 1897, The Compagnie Generale de Traction, owned by Belgian Baron Édouard Empain, won the contract and was reorganised as the Compagnie du chemin de fer métropolitain.
The original Metro cars were made of wood, but following a fire in 1903, the city adopted fireproof, all-metal Sprague-Thomson cars. Named for their American inventors, these red and green cars became symbols of the transportation system itself. In 1904, a second concession was granted to the Société du chemin de fer électrique souterrain Nord-Sud de Paris (Paris North-South underground electrical railway company), abbreviated to the Nord-Sud company, to build three lines, which were completed by the 1930s.
The Paris Métro has continued to expand and modernise over the years. In 1951, the RATP developed a rubber-tired train system, which entered service on five lines and was later exported to metro systems around the world. In 1977, the RATP introduced two new lines, A and B, which were wildly successful, with Line A becoming the most-used urban rail line in Europe. In 2011, a driverless, fully automated train was inaugurated on Line 1, and the line was fully automated in 2012. The Paris Métro continues to expand, with four new lines currently under construction.
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Power Source and Technical Specifications
The Paris Métro is a classic subway system with many stops, frequent services, short line distances, and non-scheduled train timings. It is one of the densest metro systems in the world, with 244 stations within the 105.4 km2 (41 sq mi) of the City of Paris. Châtelet–Les Halles, with five Métro and three RER commuter rail lines, is one of the world's largest metro stations.
The Paris Métro is powered by electricity supplied by a third rail carrying 750 volts of direct current (DC). The trains drive on the right, following the standard gauge of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in). The width of the carriages is 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in), narrower than that of newer French systems. The carriages on Lines 1, 4 and 14 have capacities of 600–700 passengers, while the Altéo MI 2N trains of RER A can accommodate up to 2,600 passengers.
The Paris Métro initially consisted of nine lines, with the first line, Porte Maillot–Porte de Vincennes, opening on 19 July 1900. The system expanded rapidly until World War I, and by the 1920s, the core was complete. Extensions into the suburbs were built in the 1930s, and after World War II, new trains were introduced to accommodate higher traffic.
The Paris Métro's rolling stock has steel wheels (MF for matériel fer) and rubber-tyred trains (MP for matériel pneu). The trains have a maximum speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) and averaged 25.1 km/h (15.6 mph) during peak times in 2018. The fastest lines are the automated ones: Line 14, with an average speed of 38.9 km/h (24.2 mph), and Line 1, averaging 30 km/h (19 mph).
A large expansion programme, the Grand Paris Express (GPE), is currently underway, with four new orbital Métro lines (15, 16, 17, and 18) being constructed outside the Paris city limits.
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Safety and Incidents
Paris Métro is a rapid transit metro system serving Paris, France, and is the second busiest metro system in Europe. It is operated by Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) and covers 214km of track with 303 stations. The Paris Métro mostly uses two-way tunnels, with trains driving on the right. Electric power is supplied by a third rail which carries 750 volts DC.
The Paris Métro is considered relatively safe, with the chances of encountering a violent attack being very low. However, basic caution is advised while using public transport to avoid hassles and ensure safety. Pickpocketing and theft are common issues on the Paris Métro, especially during the summer months and at tourist attractions. Some stations, such as Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est, are considered less safe at night due to the presence of "sketchy characters".
The Paris Métro has had several notable incidents over the years. On 8 February 1962, the Charonne subway massacre resulted in nine deaths due to police brutality. Between July and October 1995, Algerian extremists carried out bombings that killed eight people and injured over 100. On 30 August 2000, an MF 67 train derailed at Notre-Dame-de-Lorette due to excessive speed, injuring 24 people. There have also been multiple fires on the trains, such as on 6 August 2005 at Simplon, which injured at least 19 people, and on 29 July 2007 between Varenne and Invalides, injuring 15 people. On 2 December 2016, an MF01 train derailed outside Barbès-Rochechouart station, but no casualties were reported.
To enhance safety, the Paris Métro has implemented various measures. The "Rabbit of the Paris Métro" is an anthropomorphic rabbit used since 1977 to warn passengers, especially children, about the risks of getting hands or objects trapped in doors or escalators. Additionally, RATP, the operator of the Paris Métro, offers a route planner on its website that allows users to choose the criteria for their journey, including the fewest connections, least walking, or the quickest route.
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Ticketing and Cost
Paris's public transport system is highly integrated, with tickets being interchangeable between buses, the metro, and trains. The Paris Metro is run by RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens), which also runs the Paris suburban train system (RER), buses, and trams within Paris. A single ticket can be used on any of these four modes of transport for a single journey.
Single Tickets
Single tickets can be purchased individually or in packages of 10, called a 'carnet'. Single tickets are valid for one journey and can be used on the Metro, RER, Bus, and Tram within Paris and its immediate suburbs. They can be purchased from metro/RER stations, some bus terminals, and registered retailers, usually tobacconists and bookshops, displaying the RATP sign. The contactless t+ ticket packs of 10 are €2 cheaper than the cardboard version.
Day Passes
The Paris Visite pass is a day pass that counts calendar days from the first use, not 24-hour periods. It is available from outside Paris through agents and online, but it is usually more expensive than purchasing it in Paris. The Carte Mobilis is another option for a day pass, providing unlimited rides on the transport system of the Ile-de-France region for a stated number of calendar days.
Weekly and Monthly Passes
The Navigo Easy Pass is the official pass for visiting Paris. It can be topped up at ticket machines and retailers or with a smartphone. It can also be preloaded with 10 journeys that can be used on the metro, RER, and train lines. The Navigo card is another weekly pass option, allowing travel in all zones for €22.80, plus the cost of the card itself (€5). The week runs from Monday to Sunday, with the last day for the sale of the week being Thursday.
Other Passes
There are also monthly, annual, and imagine R passes available for those who wish to use Parisian public transport regularly. These passes are on sale in the main metro stations, RER and SNCF stations in the Paris region, in Paris airports, and in authorised shops such as tobacconists.
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Stations and Lines
The Paris Métro is a rapid transit system serving Paris within the Île-de-France region. It is the second busiest metro system in Europe, carrying 1.498 billion passengers in 2019, or roughly 4.1 million passengers a day, making it the most-used public transport system in Paris. It is operated by Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP). The Paris Métro covers 214 km of track and serves over 300 stations. Châtelet–Les Halles, with five Métro and three RER commuter rail lines, is one of the world's largest metro stations.
The Paris Métro has 16 lines numbered from 1 to 14, with two "bis" or secondary lines 3b and 7b. The first line opened on 19 July 1900, and the core was completed by the 1920s. Extensions into suburbs were built in the 1930s, and the network expanded rapidly until World War II. Line 14 was inaugurated in 1998 to relieve RER A, and Line 11 reaching Rosny–Bois-Perrier in 2024 is the network's most recent extension. A large expansion programme, the Grand Paris Express (GPE), is currently under construction, with four new orbital Métro lines (15, 16, 17 and 18) around the Île-de-France region, outside the Paris city limits.
Line 1 is a 16.5 km stretch running from La Défense-Grande Arche to Château de Vincennes, with 25 stations in between. In November 2011, a driverless, fully automated train was inaugurated on this line, and the line was fully automated in December 2012. Line 2 is a 12.4 km semi-circular stretch between Porte Dauphine and Nation stations, with 32 intermediate stations. Line 3 is an 11.7 km stretch between Pont de Levallois-Bécon in the western suburbs to Gallieni in the east, with 25 stations between them. Line 3b is a 1.3 km stretch between Gambetta and Porte des Lilas stations, with just four intermediate stations. Line 3bis is the least-used in Paris, meaning you won’t have to worry about crowds! It also has two particularly pretty stations, Pelleport and Saint-Fargeau. Line 4, dating back to 1906, takes you to some of the best street art areas in Paris. Place d’Italie is the stop for the lovely Butte-aux-Cailles, a neighborhood filled with charm and street art. Line 6 has the best views of Paris, as it runs mostly above ground. After stopping at the Trocadéro, it crosses the Seine and offers amazing views of the Eiffel Tower. Line 7bis is another short miniature metro line that goes around in a circle in the northeastern neighborhoods of Paris. Line 8 takes you from Balard in the southwest, where you can walk along a stretch of the old Petite Ceinture railway, up through the Grand Boulevards for their covered passages, and then all the way back down on the south. Line 9 has famous grand department stores like Les Galeries Lafayette and Printemps at Chaussée d’Antin. Line 10 runs from the centre of Paris to the eastern outskirts of the city.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Paris Métro uses electric power supplied by a third rail which carries 750 volts DC.
The Paris regional transportation system (RATP) is divided into six zones. Tourists and infrequent visitors to Paris will likely only need to worry about Zones 1 and 2.
A single ticket costs €1.70-€1.90 and allows unlimited travel and transfers within the Metro for up to 90 minutes.
The Paris Metro has over 300 stations and spans around 136 miles (214-219km).
Trains arrive every 2-4 minutes during daytime hours and every 6-12 minutes at night. During rush hour, trains arrive every 2 minutes.
