Paris Métro

[19-?]

Brasch Collection Pamphlets Box B1 no. 24

Paris: Ministère de Travaux Publics des Transports et du Tourisme

The Paris Métropolitain, the Métro, opened in July 1900 during the Paris World Fair. The idea of an underground rail was first mooted in the 1840s, but financial squabbles and red tape held it back until construction started in 1898. Chief engineer, Fulgence Bienvenüe (1852-1936) spent thirty years, from 1896, designing and constructing what would become one of the busiest metros in Europe. The Art Noveau style of the Métro entranceways was the brainchild of architect, Hector Guimard (1867-1942). Today, there is 214 kilometres of track, 303 stations, and 16 lines upon which 1.5 billion people travel every year.