Serge the Rabbit mascot

The Paris metro rabbit was born on 15 February 1977, when cartoonist Anne Le Lagadec (creative director at ECOM at the time) chose to feature the animal on illustrations in passenger safety messages, warning notably young passengers of the risk of having their fingers trapped in metro train doors. She felt that rabbits came across as vulnerable and mild-mannered, and tended to run around without looking where they are going.

Initially rolled out on metro line 1, the Paris metro rabbit was eventually deployed across the network.

In 1986, Serge underwent his first makeover at the hands of Serge Maury, who wanted the rabbit to continue resembling a plush toy, so that children could relate to him and understand what he's trying to say. At the same time, the artist traded the rabbit’s red overalls for a flashier yellow outfit.

Dressed in these new clothes, the rabbit progressively became an icon, with adaptations of his image on other transport networks (Great Britain, Japan, and others). Comical takes by his fan communities are proof of the rabbit’s iconic status.

Over time, the rabbit began to adopt the name of his creator, thereby deepening the bond that was formed with “Serge”.

To illustrate new passenger safety messages on metro line 14 platform screen doors, RATP commissioned branding agency 4uatre to reimagine the original rabbit, by changing its features, modernising the environment in which it appears (notably to show more contemporary metro trains), and updating its wardrobe to reflect current trends.

As of 28 May 2014, the “new” Serge the Rabbit was progressively deployed on 24,000 metro and RER train doors, with worn and missing stickers being replaced during the same operation. The goal was to educate passengers of the safety precautions to adopt when train doors are opening.

Serge first appeared on board metro line 1 and 14 trains as a priority. 

As of 15 February 2017, a new series of stickers featuring our mascot Serge the Rabbit started appearing on escalators, with the message: “Warning! Don't stand too close to the edge, risk of serious injury.”

And for very good reasons. Escalators may pose a risk to passengers, most of whom are so used to taking the same route every day that they may not or no longer notice these risks. To counter this risk, RATP passenger safety mascot Serge has been tasked with another mission through new stickers pasted on the 115 most accident-prone escalators across the network.

Good news for those who have printers: this is the moment to treat yourself to an artistic break! Whether you want to keep children busy or do something relaxing, there is nothing more entertaining than colouring or spotting differences with Serge the Rabbit themed activities.

See all our Serge the Rabbit games and colouring activities.

As the Paris metro’s recognisable mascot, Serge the Rabbit appearing on RATP merchandise seemed the logical next step. See the full range of RATP La Ligne merchandise, notably t-shirts, socks, bucket hats, keychains, pins, plush toys and mugs bearing the image of the Paris metro rabbit.