Metro line 7bis : a line and its history

Metro line 7bis, which runs between Paris’ 19th and 10th arrondissements, comprises eight stations : Louis Blanc, Jaurès, Bolivar, Buttes Chaumont, Botzaris, Place des Fêtes, Danube, and Pré-Saint-Gervais. It is the second-shortest line in the network, after metro line 3bis. Built fully underground, metro line 7bis extends over 2.88 km.

Metro line 7bis construction works

From its very beginnings, construction work on metro line 7bis encountered regular technical issues, in particular in the Parc des Buttes Chaumont sector. The unstable terrain in that area required major ground consolidation works, due notably to the presence of former gypsum quarries. Engineers had to adapt the methods that they used to bore through these weakened foundations, which had been scarred by centuries of quarrying activity.

To understand what led to the construction of metro line 7bis, we need to delve into the history of metro line 7, which was commissioned in two successive stages :
 

• In 1910, with the inauguration of its first segment between Opéra and Porte de la Villette stations. 
• One year later, in 1911, with the opening of the branch between Louis Blanc and Pré-Saint-Gervais stations.

For more on the history of metro line 7’s construction, visit its dedicated A line and its history page.

The consecutive southward extensions to metro line 7, all the way to Mairie d’Ivry station in 1946, created an imbalance in ridership between both branches. Indeed, Porte de la Villette station is the site of a major terminus for suburban bus routes, which serves so many commuters that the branch became much busier than the Pré-Saint-Gervais branch.

As such, following a survey in 1960, plans were made to facilitate metro line 7 operations by separating the branch between Louis Blanc and Pré-Saint-Gervais stations, and creating a new, independent line. This is how and why metro line 7bis was commissioned in 1967.

Rolling stock 

Metro line 7 operated Sprague-Thomson trains until 1981, before welcoming MF67 model trains.

Later on, between 1993 and 1994, the line received nine MF88 trains, and went on to become the only transport network to use those trains. When MF88 rolling stock was presented to the press in 1992 at decommissioned station Porte des Lilas, it represented a milestone in the fleet upgrade.

By 2027, metro line 7bis is set to receive new rolling stock : MF19 trains.

Maintenance centres

Currently, metro line 7bis rolling stock, as is the case across the Paris rail network, undergoes maintenance at the Choisy maintenance centres.

However, the future MF19 trains will require the construction of an adapted maintenance centre. For this reason, a new maintenance centre will be built in La Courneuve, eventually discontinuing operations at the Choisy facilities.

Unlike metro line 7, metro line 7bis is not equipped with an automated driving system. Due to the line’s low ridership, investment in automation was not deemed necessary.

Since 2010, metro line 7bis has been fitted with a SIEL (Système d’information en ligne, online passenger information system), which displays the waiting time only for one, instead of two, upcoming trains.

Also, in 1975, metro line 7bis was the last line on the network to be connected to a PCC (Poste de contrôle et de commande centralisé, central command post).

Metro line 7bis is a treasure trove of surprises ! Find out about the various artistic, historic, and quirky secrets that await you on the interactive metro line 7bis Ça vaut le détour (It’s worth the trip) map.

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