Metro line 12 : a line and its history

Metro line 12, which is known for being one of the longest lines on the network, covers a total distance of 17.2 km serving 31 stations. The line runs through the French capital from north to southwest, taking passengers to numerous iconic places along the way, such as Montparnasse, Montmartre, and the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighbourhood. Here is the full version.

To understand how metro line 12 came to be, first, an introduction to man who inspired its construction : Jean-Baptiste Berlier. This was not the engineer’s first attempt, as in 1887 and 1892, he had proposed a tube tram project between Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes. But, due to a lack of funding, the project never reached completion. It was from the moment Jean-Baptiste Berlier teamed up with banker Xavier Janicot that the odds started bending in his favour. Struck by the dearth of north-south connections throughout the capital, this time, Berlier planned to link the Montparnasse and Montmartre neighbourhoods with a deep underground tube railway, inspired by the London Tube. That was when the City of Paris granted him a concession in 1901, although the first two metro lines had already been running for a year. He had to meet only one condition, which was to build two line extensions : one towards Porte de Versailles, and the other terminating at Porte de Saint-Ouen.

These were the events that led up to the 1902 founding of railway company Société du Chemin de fer électrique souterrain Nord-Sud de Paris (more commonly known as “Nord-Sud’’), which was ultimately granted the license to build :

• Metro line A (now metro line 12), from Porte de Versailles to Jules Joffrin stations. 
• Metro line B, from Gare Saint-Lazare to Porte de Saint-Ouen stations.

The privately owned company was to manage the construction of infrastructure, and the acquisition of rolling stock on metro lines A and B.

Despite delays in the progress of works due to exceptional flooding from the Seine River (better known as the “hundred-year flood”), the construction of metro line A was eventually completed in 1910. The line was able to open between Porte de Versailles and Notre-Dame-de-Lorette stations that same year. Passengers warmly welcomed the new line, which they appreciated for its overall presentation, and the comfort of its rolling stock. 

Architecture and design that changes with the times on metro line 12.

Two new extensions then followed in close succession : the first terminating at Pigalle station in 1911, then Jules Joffrin station in 1912, and a third in 1916 leading from Jules Joffrin station to Porte de la Chapelle station.

In 1929, in view of an extension to Issy-les-Moulineaux, a new station was built at Porte de Versailles, providing direct access to the Parc des Expositions exhibition venue.

While Nord-Sud built and operated metro line A, the company was subsequently taken over by its competitor Compagnie du chemin de fer métropolitain de Paris (CMP), which managed the concession for most metro lines in the capital. This is how metro line A was rebranded as metro line 12 in 1930.

Although Petits Ménages (today’s Corentin Celton station) and Mairie d’Issy stations were inaugurated in 1934, metro line 12 was only extended northwards in the next century.

STIF (Syndicat des transports d’Ile-de-France, former name of Île-de-France Mobilités, or IDFM) and RATP had indeed planned to further extend the line to Aubervilliers. The three new stations, Front Populaire, Aimé Césaire and Mairie d'Aubervilliers, were commissioned in two phases. In 2012, the first segment was inaugurated with Front Populaire station.

It would take another decade before the second segment was commissioned in the direction of Mairie d’Aubervilliers station, providing two stations. In addition to Mairie d’Aubervilliers station, Aimé Césaire station, along the banks of Saint-Denis canal, was opened.

Metro line 12 has the disadvantage of having an often winding trajectory. How did it become that way ? It all started with the line’s funding. As the municipal CMP-operated network was built by the City of Paris, that network enjoyed greater flexibility in modifying and relocating underground projects. As such, its own lines were more easily built.  

However, Nord-Sud was a privately held company, and it therefore had to pay for, and restrict its project relocations to what was strictly necessary.

Metro line 12 also boasts a wealth of history, which was perfectly illustrated during renovations. In 2016, posters dating back to 1960 were uncovered at Trinité–d'Estienne d’Orves station.

Following the replacement of the popular Nord-Sud Sprague-Thomson trains in 1972, CMP’s Sprague-Thomson trains were phased out in 1980 to make way for MF67 rolling stock. MF67 trains will in turn be replaced by MF19 trains from 2027.

Metro line 12 is a treasure trove of surprises ! Find out about the various artistic, historic, and quirky secrets that await you on the interactive metro line 12 Ça vaut le détour (It’s worth the trip) map.

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