Paris

Info

The Paris Metro proudly stands as one of the world's oldest metro systems and is a cherished emblem of France. Its inauguration was a grand spectacle, aligning with the Universal Exhibition of 1900. This venerable metro ranks among the top ten in terms of ridership and boasts an impressive eleventh position in terms of total line length when compared to its global counterparts.
The initial phase of the Paris metro featured two lines, with the primary line comprising ten stations, serving as a vital artery that traversed the heart of the French capital. A second line of three stations connected the Bois de Boulogne to the Place des Stars. This pioneering endeavor, over a century old, has evolved into a robust network featuring fourteen main lines and two branches, with the majority operating underground. The metro derived its name from its original moniker, "chemin de fer métropolitain," from which the terms "metro" and "metropolitan" originated.
Today, the Paris Metro reigns as the favored, convenient, and economically sound mode of public transportation in the city of lights. An astounding four million passengers embark on its journey daily. This expansive metro system connects the city center to the farthest reaches of Paris, encompassing all its vibrant districts and extending into select suburbs, including Montreuil, Créteil, Saint-Denis, among others. Notably, the metro network serves all seven of Paris' central train stations, including the bustling Gare du Nord, which provides commuter trains connecting to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Moreover, these metro stations are strategically positioned in proximity to many of Paris' iconic attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Orsay Museum, and the Sacré-Coeur Basilica.
Operated by RATP, the Paris Metro, in tandem with buses, trams, commuter trains, and river transport, creates a unified public transport network within the French capital, segmented into tariff zones. The fare structure hinges on the number of zones traversed. Traveling solely by metro incurs a ticket price equivalent to that of the first zone, fixed at 1.90 EUR. When transferring to RER commuter trains, passengers must acquire a ticket valid for the corresponding zone.
Paris metro stations bear distinct markings depending on their opening date, featuring either an M logo or the vintage "metropolitain" and "metro" inscriptions. Distinguishing characteristics include ornate pavilions and arches at the entrances of the oldest lines. Due to their shallow depth, many stations lack elevators or escalators. The interior design of the Paris metro prioritizes functionality over extravagance. Classic white ceramic tiles adorn most stations, but some stations deserve special mention for their unique aesthetics. For instance, the Louvre – Rivoli station boasts replicas of artworks from the Louvre, while the Arts et Métiers station is intricately designed to resemble the submarine Nautilus from Jules Verne's novels.
The platform layout of the Paris metro follows a coastal type, with numerous stations serving multiple lines. To avoid confusion and backtracking, passengers should carefully select their train's direction. Lines 1 and 14 feature automated trains, with platform doors synchronized to open simultaneously with the train doors. On other Parisian metro lines, conventional trains operate, some of which run on rubber tires. Doors in these trains open via buttons or levers situated on both sides of each door.

Lines

There are 16 lines in the Paris Subway, each bearing its own number and color: 1 (yellow), 2 (blue), 3 (olive), 3bis (cyan), 4 (lilac), 5 (orange), 6 (light-green), 7 (pink), 7bis (turquoise), 8 (magenta), 9 (gold), 10 (light-brown), 11 (brown), 12 (green), 13 (azure) and 14 (violet). It has 303 stations. Overall length totals to 220 km. Working hours: Banking days: 5.30 – 12.30 AM. Weekends and holidays: 5.30 AM – 2 AM. Some subway stations have tram or rapid transit transfer points.

Fare

The fare depends on the subway zone. There are five zones in Paris. One-ride ticket will cost you 1,90 EUR. You may use it for any means of public transportation but a bus-to-bus transfer requires a separate ticket. You may get the following: 10 tickets for 14,90 EUR, daily pass for 7.50 EUR or weekend/holiday travel pass for 4 EUR. Moreover, there are Navigo travel passes out there. To get one you need two photos and 5 EUR (price of the card). The price depends on the term and subway zone. Weekly card in zones 1-2 will cost 22,80 EUR, monthly one – 75,20 EUR. The Navigo cards run from Monday to Monday or throughout the month, i.e. the card is not valid for the number of days purchased. There is a solution for tourists called Paris Visite. This card grants unlimited rides and discounts for those visiting major city landmarks. The price below is given for zones 1-3 and 1-5 respectively: 1-day – 12,00 and 25,25 EUR; 2-day – 19,50 and 38,35 EUR; 3-day – 26,65 and 53,75 EUR; 5-day – 38,35 and 65,80 EUR.

Ticketing

Tickets can be purchased at TVMs, tram stops, rapid transit points, ticket stands at huge terminals and tobacco shops (TABAC). Most TVMs accept credit cards and coins, and rarely cash. Passing through the turnstile you have to insert the pass into it, then take it back on the other side and keep it. Keep it throughout the ride as you may have your ticket verified by a ticket inspector. Using a card just swipe it over the scanner for 1-2 seconds.