We are renovating your stations

Châtelet station,  : work in progress from 18/06/18 to 31/12/22

Arts et Métiers Station,    : work in progress from 19/09/19 to 30/10/22

Porte de Clichy Station,   : work in progress from 03/11/21 to 31/12/23

Wagram Station,    : work in progress from 14/04/21 to 01/12/23

Marx Dormoy Station,   : work in progress from 01/08/22 to 30/06/24

With “un métro + beau”, we are offering more modern and more comfortable metro stations, thanks to renovated platforms and walkways and refurbished reception halls, with renewal and clean-up of everything from floor to ceiling. Alongside these actions, we are installing more readable and comprehensive signage – whether intermodal, tourist or urban – new seats, more suitable and more effective lighting.

The renovation solutions adopted within the programme, from architectural styles to the choice of materials and techniques, all contribute to the common goal of making the facilities more uniform. The choices of coverings, tiles and lighting are the result of a reflection including economic, environmental and aesthetic criteria, along with requirements for safety, ease of maintenance and durability. They contribute to greater consistency in the facilities and allow the metro’s original image to be restored while including the needed upgrades.

Through this programme, we are fulfilling our role to guarantee upkeep of the metro and its heritage.

Newer

As essential components of the Paris metro’s international image, the white wall tiles are back in all renovated stations. Their bevelled shape, designed to reflect and spread the artificial light, has been redesigned. Easy to maintain and particularly hard wearing, these new tiles are designed to last as long as the original model from the prestigious earthenware manufacturer Faïencerie de Gien.

A wave frieze with or without decorative spots, skirting plinth or arched moulding, to keep continuity in metro design, tilers have copied the original ceramics and redesigned the shapes and patterns. 

An essential part of the upgrade programme is to offer passengers a higher quality of service. Renovated stations are clearer, cleaner and, thanks to the new furnishings, more welcoming. For the architectural and furniture design, we called on developers, architects and designers.

The new metro seat, the most visible symbol, was selected for its comfort and original shape. Presented in blocks of three to five seats, available in seven colours, its simple and familiar shape reflects the platform light.

Finally, some not always visible but essential operations are also being carried out: replacement and masking of all the wiring needed for metro operation and safety, building renovation, masonry work, new ticket gates installation, etc.

Simpler

The metro’s new multimodal signage aims to help all passengers find their way easily, when taking the metro and when finding their bus, tram or the right exit. 

More evidently, it warns, directs and reassures passengers. To improve information, the number of local area maps has been doubled. It is more precise and designates exits by name and number in a way that is easy to remember.

The “Parisine” typeface, specially designed in 1996 by typographer Jean-François Porchez, allows users to “see rather than read”, “to get a snapshot rather than to decipher”. A real-time dynamic display and audio announcements complete the system. Colours, size of letters, contrast, spacing, everything is designed to help passengers read or recognise the directions as they find their way.

The enamelled plates, which date back to the metro’s origins, symbolise the excellence of a tradition that is well placed in the context of the renovation work. Rugged, impervious to chemicals, wall-mounted or suspended, there are thousands on the network (there are 583 at the Opera station!). Since all stations are different, each plate is designed according to its position in the station and its location.

The metro upgrade includes a more efficient sales service and increased staff availability to help and inform passengers. The old sales offices are being transformed to offer numerous ticket vending machines and top-up terminals for the Navigo travel pass. Staff members at ticket counters and information desks are equipped with systems allowing them to better inform passengers.

Brighter

We have made metro lighting a priority, because light is essential to comfort and safety in underground facilities. The required brightness, reminiscent of natural light, was obtained by playing on the types of lighting and the reflective character of the surfaces.

This light is the identity of the metro environment, revealing its architectural richness, organising the transition between outside and inside and guiding passengers. From the street to the platform, there are no fewer than 17 lighting models that gently mark out the area changes and enhance the feeling of safety.

The decision to close a station is the result of studies taking into account many criteria, such as station size, geographical location (city or suburban), number of connections, safety conditions while work is in progress.

Except in exceptional cases, when the station to be renovated is located in the suburbs, upgrade work is carried out only at night during closing hours between 1:15 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., sometimes with early closing of the station at 10:00 p.m. When the station is located in Paris, the choices differ depending on whether or not it has connections. If there are no connections, we close the station completely (the distance between Paris stations is not more than 500 metres).

If the station includes one or more connections, we close platform by platform, keeping at least one metro line in service.

When it is decided to close a station, the closure cannot exceed twelve weeks (twelve weeks of work in a closed station is equivalent to six months of work in the same open station). A replacement bus service is put in place if necessary.

Despite the works, service continues without suspension, all lines operate normally.

We are increasing the number of information channels aimed at all players (passengers, local residents, elected representatives, Île-de-France Mobilités) affected by the “un métro + beau” programme.

More than a year before the start of work, our teams meet local elected representatives and residents to reflect on how to minimise the inconvenience linked to the work.

Group staff are specifically assigned to personal meetings with local traders and large neighbours (hospitals, schools, museums, cinemas, etc.) impacted by the work. A letter is sent to residents living within 300 metres of the location where the work will be carried out.

Posters and signs are put up on the platforms and in the trains on the entire line one month before the start of work. During the work, company staff members inform passengers in stations around the closed station and audio announcements are made on the trains and in connecting stations.