Architecture of the Paris Métro
The Paris Métro runs instantly (November 2013) 303 stations with 385 stops. Since the lines are completely independent of each other, each line has its own platform hall. According to the fact that around 90 % of the lines run underground, the vast majority of Metro stations are underground. Over the more than one hundred year history of the Paris Métro and because of the often very different local conditions quite different metro stations have emerged. These differentiated then continues through modernization, architectural fashions followed. On the other hand, there are by the same task - namely, to bring people to the trains - also many similarities between the individual stations.
The platform length was 1900 initially set at 75 m built (each about 15 m in accordance with trains with 5 cars ), and later was 90 m long platforms and were on the lines with a strong user rush (lines 1, 3, 7, 8, 9) even 105 m long platforms erected. The extension of Line 14 calls in a larger volume of traffic to be expected longer trains and thus 120 m long platforms.
- 2.1 Signs and Masts
- 2.2 Inputs: world-famous by Hector Guimard
- 2.3 Switches hall and entrance area
- 2.4 Arrivals: stairs, escalators, elevators
- 2.5 platform halls 2.5.1 lighting 2.5.1.1 history
- 2.5.1.2 Switching to LED Lighting
Stations
Subterranean standard stations
Stations with an elliptical cross-section
In general, the stations have two tracks and two side platforms of (usually) 4 m width. Most stations have an elliptical cross -section: In height of 1.5 m above the rails, the place where the vaulted ceiling and the ellipse, the sole of the building forms, is touching. This is with 14.14 m the greatest internal width. The maximum height of the interior space is 5.9 m and is located in the center of the building. The vaulted ceiling has a wall thickness of 0.70 m and a clear height of 3.70 m. The base plate is also elliptically curved downward, it has a minimum thickness of 0.50 m and a maximum depth of 1.50 m, the 0.70 m is again below the rail level. The lateral retaining walls have a maximum wall thickness of 2 m. The platforms are each 4 m wide and slightly inclined towards the track bed. Opposite platform edges are 5.33 m apart.
The vaults of the former stations of the Société du chemin de fer électrique souterrain Nord -Sud de Paris ( north-south ) are slightly higher because the power supply of each leading railcar was a catenary.
Stations with rectangular cross section
For systems in which the difference in height between road and rail is less than 7 m, the curvature was replaced by a horizontal metal ceiling (eg Concorde ). There were stations having a rectangular cross-section. The bottom plate of the station are curved just like the stations with a vaulted ceiling down. On it sit retaining walls, they are at the bottom of 150 m thick, above they taper to 1.15 m. The interior has a clear width of 13.50 m and a clear height of 3.50 m (measured from the platform height ). Lie on the retaining walls - transverse to the direction of travel - metallic support beams. These in turn rest in track direction longitudinal beams, which run at a distance of just under 2m in parallel. Profile iron wear small, built of brick vaults. For wider stations the transverse support beams are also supported by a metal column, depending on any platform.
Special forms of underground stations
About 50 stations deviate from this rule. Often they are former terminal stations with two tracks and one island platform (eg Porte Dauphine ), or with three tracks and two platforms (eg Porte d'Orléans ), or even with four tracks (Château de Vincennes ). With very wide stations or unstable ground a retaining wall is pulled up, which relieves the vault. The concourse is divided into two parts, each with a track and a platform separately (eg, Porte de Versailles).
Cluny - La Sorbonne: This track serves as a link to another line
Porte de Versailles: Three tracks; Retaining wall between the tracks; Shifted against each other platforms
Modern stations
When the necessary route through Renewals new stations will be built for other requirements: There should be as direct as possible additions, ie without winding corridors, but with long stairs and escalators and passenger lifts. The passenger should arrive on a straight-line route possible from the street to the platforms.
Railway stations in high position
Railway stations in high position are found primarily on lines 2 and 6 Each station rests on four longitudinal beams. The two outer stone pillars are supported on the two inner two rows of iron pillars. At the four corners of each station may vary the pillar extends to far above the roof. These pillars have no load-bearing function, but serve purely ornamentation. The above-ground stations on Line 2 have two shed roofs, each covering only the platform. In line 6, the stops are provided with a glass gable roof, which also spans the tracks.
Cambronne station on Line 6: masonry walls; Glass roof spans platforms and tracks
Stairway of the station Cambronne
Sèvres -Lecourbe with Zierpleiler
La Motte- Piquet with staircase
Little and much made use of stations
The ten busiest stations
Were counted the passengers directly, ie, the Metro statins entered via the inputs. The Umsteigebetrieb was not detected. Especially frequented are of course expected, the stations at the major stations and stations that provide access to multiple lines. 248 stations had more than 2 million person entering passengers; only 12 stations are less than 1 million person entering passengers were counted.
The median value is 3400000 embarking passengers, ie half of the stations had more passengers indicative than the median and half less.
The ten least benützten Metro stations
Little took advantage stations are mainly due to the short distances ( 3a and 7a ).
From the street down ( up ) to the platforms
Signs and Masts
Since the flat entrances to metro stations are not very conspicuous, were already in the beginning signs ( illuminated at night often ) mounted on iron poles, which helped find the seeker the way. This combination mast Shield are often referred to in France as " Totem". They were first introduced by the north-south society, but then soon copied from the CMP. Over the decades, of course, the appearance changed as well as the materials used.
Suction. Dervaux mast, 1935
Sign, circa 1940
Mast with shield, circa 1960
Mast with sign, 1970
Plaque for the line 14 to 2000
The inputs: world-famous by Hector Guimard
In the context of the construction of the first metro lines in 1899 was announced by the CMP, a competition for the design of the entrance areas. You should point a night illuminated lettering on and clearly visible on the Chemin de fer métropolitain.
Since the proposals received were not satisfactory, the Art Nouveau architect Hector Guimard was asked for suggestions. Between 1900 and 1912, 141 metro entrances are designed according to his designs. Of these 86 items, distributed over 66 stations have survived. 4 of them were in 1965 placed under monument protection. The remaining were included in the supplementary list of Monuments historiques 1978.
After Guimard time the inputs were simpler, sometimes they also received a small independent building or were - lack of space - built on the ground floor of large buildings.
Also ... a real Guimard: Entrance to the station Étienne Marcel
Entrance to the Place Monge
Station Saint- Jacques ( 6)
Pernety station (13 )
Ticket hall and entrance area
After the passenger has descended the first flight of stairs, he comes first in the so-called distribution Hall ( Salle des distributions ) or main hall, there is an information desk with ticket sales and ticket machines. For single journeys you need a so-called ticket t . Under the name Paris Visite or Mobilis day tickets are available. Weekly and monthly cards are connected to the transponder card Navigo Pass. With a valid ticket, you can unlock the access barriers and enter the interior of the station. Previously there were wickets where the tickets purchased at the ticket office were tied by a hole punch before the passenger was allowed to enter the platform.
Ticket vending machines ( 2006)
Front and back side of the ticket T
Charging station for Navigo ticket
Separation Unit of the station Gallieni
Access to the indoor area, reserved for Navigo Passes
Connecting corridor to a metro station
Wider passage for the disabled
Arrivals: stairs, escalators, elevators
After passing through the main hall and the access control of the traveler must get to the platforms. This is by stairs, escalators or elevators. Initially the stations were created with only one access per stair platform. After the serious accident in Couronnes station in 1903, in which many people suffocated because there was no second output, the CMP has been committed to equip all stations with additional entrances and exits. ( But there are still some smaller stations with only one output, eg Picpus. )
In 1906, the CMP agreed to equip stations with elevators, if the difference in height between the road and the platform is more than 12 m, while the platforms are more than 8 m deeper than the main hall. The first lifts were installed in 1910 ( République ) or 1911 ( Cité and Saint- Michel ). 1912 followed elevators, a large difference in height overcame ( Place des Fêtes ( 20.3 m) and Buttes -Chaumont ( 28.7 m)). 2011 had 25 metro stations lifts.
The first escalators received the Pere Lachaise station in 1909; to 1920 6 other escalators were installed in 1966 were 86 in operation. Escalators run in more than 200 stations in 2011. On the line 14 alone 42 escalators are installed.
Before the passenger reached the platform, he had to pass through an automatic door (so-called Portillon automatique ) for a long time. The door closed just before entrance to a metro and gave way to the platform again until when the train had left. The control of the door was switched by the one or departing train normally. However, they could also be operated by the station staff. The first doors of this type was first installed in 1921 on Line 2, and later on other lines. Before the doors were closed and opened by the staff by hand. In the 1960s they were gradually dismantled.
Repair a Metro escalator
Switch hall of the station Saint- Lazare
Fast-cycling treadmill of the station Montparnasse - Bienvenüe (from 2002 to 2009 in operation)
Portillon automatique in the station Porte d' Orléans, 2008
Platform halls
Lighting
History
In the first years of operation, the Métro lighting was very spartan: There was on the platforms an illuminance of approximately 1 lx, this corresponds to the strength of a candle from 1m distance. This was achieved by light that came from 120 V lamps, five of which were consecutively connected to 600 V lines, respectively.
The first improvements brought the use of fluorescent tubes from c.1923, later moving to AC voltage just before the start of the 2nd World War.
For stations that were rebuilt or renovated at the turn of the millennium, the platforms were illuminated with 200 lx.
Switching to LED lights
By the end of 2015, the RATP wants to equip all underground stations and all operated by an RER stations with LED lights. Line 7 Daubenton converted - In a multi-year large-scale test first, 2009, the station Censier. In the illumination station, a 2/3 lower energy consumption was measured. 2010, the administration building of the RATP and 2011 the RER Station Val d'Europe was converted. A total of 250,000 light sources need to be replaced. The total cost of the action amounts to 11 million euros.
Renouveau du Métro
In the Renouveau du Métro program is largest renovation program that has ever been performed at the Paris Métro: Beginning in 1998, should, within 20 years, 273 metro stations are completely renovated from floor to ceiling. Special attention is also the signs that should be easier to read. A new typeface Sine Pari created which should be easier to be detected, especially for people whose native language is not written in Latin letters.
Artistically designed platform halls
At the suggestion of the then Minister of Culture André Malraux in 1968 a Paris Métro station platforms were first designed artistically: In the station Louvre - Rivoli, the walls were covered with natural stone, showcases copies were issued of works of art from the Louvre.
The measure met with great interest among the population and the tourists, so since then a number of stations have been redesigned in this sense. The chosen theme often points to an important building near the station.
The table below lists a few of these platform halls.
Bastille station (line 1): Memories of the French Revolution
Concorde station (line 12 ): Text: Declaration of Human and Civil Rights
Station Liège (line 13): Pictures from Liège Province
Station Tuileries ( line 1): wall decoration shows the history of the Métro
Approximately 30 stations were decorated with individual works of art. But the French artist Hervé Mathieu- Bachelot is represented with ten plants in Metro stations and RER stations, including with stained glass windows and mosaics. In the Madeleine station is located next to other works of art and the copy of a sculpture by Constantin Brancusi.
Features of the platform halls
As already mentioned, the platform halls were initially only dimly lit, the walls were covered with white rectangular tiles with beveled edges. There were only a few seats for waiting passengers. The station had its own office.
Typically, the large billboards are in each station.
Innovation are the partitions to the tracks and platform screen doors in the stations of driverless lines and the busy subway stations of line 13 to prevent plunge people into the track bed.
Platform screen doors, Invalides, 2006
Passenger information systems
The signs are to be found in two different colors: white text on a blue background shows the way to the exits. Blue characters on white background are references to locations within the Métro station: Roadmap to the individual lines or to the information desk or ticket sales.
Installed on the platforms SIEL display panels indicate how long it will take until the entrance of the next track.
Large-scale maps show both in the entrance area, also on the platforms the Métro network of Paris, in addition there is a detailed map of the vicinity of the respective Métro station. At the entrance of large stations depend maps, where LED's show the way to any other station.
SIEL, Place Monge
Map with light indicator
Ghost stations
In addition, there are a number of " ghost stations ": Stations that were never put into service or stations, which were only temporary: