The "Boulevard Barbès" station, located at the boundary of the 9th, 10th, and 18th arrondissements of Paris, opened on March 26, 1903, with the inauguration of metro line 2.
On October 15, 1907, the station was renamed "Barbès-Rochechouart," and on April 21, 1908, the platforms for metro line 4 were opened to the public.
One Station Name, Two Figures
Did you know that the name "Barbès-Rochechouart" refers to two prominent Parisians? First, "Barbès" honors Armand Barbès (1809-1870), a key opponent of the July Monarchy.
Then, "Rochechouart" takes its name from Marguerite de Rochechouart de Montpipeau, abbess of the Montmartre Abbey. She notably led the monastery in the 18th century, during the regency of Philippe d'Orléans. Thanks to her, this station is one of the few metro stations named after a woman.
Resistance at the Heart of Barbès-Rochechouart Station
Bearing a name from the 18th century, this station became irrevocably linked to history on August 21, 1941, when Pierre Georges, known as Colonel Fabien, a communist resistance fighter, shot and killed Alfons Moser, a German naval cadet, with several bullets.
This now-famous attack was an act of retaliation against the occupying forces and in response to the arrest and execution of two young resistance fighters in August 1941, in the Verrières-le-Buisson woods, a town in the south of Paris.
In 1945, Combat station on metro line 2 was renamed Colonel Fabien, as were about a dozen other stations, in honor of the Resistance (Guy Môquet, Corentin Celton, Jacques Bonsergent, Corentin Cariou, Charles Michels, Marx Dormoy).
Jean-Camille Formigé Designs the Viaduct Architecture
Like metro line 6, metro line 2 is partially built above ground along the route of the Fermiers Généraux wall (the old city wall of Paris, demolished in 1860), which helped avoid the cost of digging tunnels. The viaducts that support it are built above the roadway and were designed by architect Jean-Camille Formigé, incorporating several construction techniques: brick, cut stone, and metal structures inspired by the style of large train stations.
Though both lines are elevated, each has its own unique features. On metro line 2, for example, you will find partial canopy structures shaped like wings to shelter the platforms, while on metro line 6, it is single large glass roofs that cover both the platforms and the tracks.
To learn more, explore the history of metro line 2 and the history of metro line 6!
A Guimard Entrance Structure
Originally, a Guimard entrance structure adorned the access to Barbès-Rochechouart station on Metro Line 4. These structures, found at many entrances to the Paris metro, were designed in the early 20th century by Hector Guimard in the Art Nouveau style.
During renovation work carried out in 1987, this structure was relocated to Bolivar station.
Elevated and Underground Station
Metro lines 2 and 4 feature stations with a standard configuration of two platforms flanking the two tracks.
On Line 2, Barbès-Rochechouart station is elevated, situated on a viaduct that ends shortly after the station heading towards Porte Dauphine.
On Line 4, the platforms are underground and curved. In the direction of Porte de Clignancourt, you can catch a glimpse of the next station, Château Rouge. As part of the automation of Line 4, Barbès-Rochechouart station is being modernized, leading to the removal of its "Ouï-dire" style. Its platforms are being raised to accommodate platform screen doors.
