Every day, millions of passengers use the public transport system in Paris and the Île-de-France region, without asking any questions. Yet the history of the Paris metro is full of secrets andanecdotes, some of them quite unusual. For example, did you know that the Place des Fêtes station was designed as an air-raid shelter for the population during the Second World War?
Located on lines 7 bis and 11, the Place des Fêtes station boasts a unique architecture that passengers may not detect at first glance. To understand the special architecture of this station, we need to go back in time to the year it was opened on line 11, 1935. From the outset, the station was built to protect it from conventional and poison gas bombardment. As a result, watertight doors were designed, as well as a filter chamber to recover outside air, not to mention swing doors installed in the corridors.
So why was this particular station chosen as a prototype air-raid shelter? First and foremost, it was located in a popular and densely populated district. The Place des Fêtes station is also very deep. Although it doesn't hold the depth record held by Abbesses station, it is nonetheless 27 meters below ground level. It also boasts an impressive 256-step escalator - the largest in the RATP network. At the time, the press considered this " shelter-station " to be invulnerable, describing it as " the biggest and safest in the world ". Note that Maison Blanche station (line 7) was also designed as an air-raid shelter.
All you need to know about the Paris metro: history, anecdotes, news and rules for users
Millions of Parisians and tourists use public transport and the Paris metro system every day. But do you know the rules of the metro and its history? Discover our many anecdotes! [Read more]
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All you need to know about the Paris metro: history, anecdotes, news and rules for users
