Did you know? Why is the Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre metro so original?

Published by My de Sortiraparis · Photos by My de Sortiraparis · Published on January 25, 2024 at 03:54 p.m.
Wondering why the Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre metro exit on Place Colette is so unusual? We tell you the story of the Kiosque des Noctambules, an original work of art designed by Jean-Michel Othoniel.

If you've ever taken a stroll around the Palais Royal, you're sure to have been fascinated by the view from the Place Colette metro exit. Known as the " Kiosque des Noctambules", it dates back to the year 2000.

In 1996, RATP commissioned artist Jean-Michel Othoniel to celebrate the centenary of the Paris metro. Inspired by Murano glass and Venetian master glassmakers, Othoniel designed an enchanting kiosk that contrasts with the classical architecture of the Parisian square.

The Kiosque des Noctambules consists of two gloriette domes, a veritable explosion of color:

  • The first dome, adorned with warm-toned pearls, evokes daylight.
  • The second dome, adorned with cool-toned pearls, represents night.

Topped by glass statuettes made by the famous Salviati glassworks, these two domes offer a striking visual spectacle.

Métro Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre - Kiosque des Noctambules - Jean-Michel OthonielMétro Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre - Kiosque des Noctambules - Jean-Michel OthonielMétro Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre - Kiosque des Noctambules - Jean-Michel OthonielMétro Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre - Kiosque des Noctambules - Jean-Michel Othoniel

The kiosk sparkles with a thousand lights when illuminated by the sun or public lighting. The experience continues inside the metro station, where gilded tiles, glass beads and a public bench add to the enchanting atmosphere.

The Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre station thus becomes more than just a place of transit. It's an invitation to look at the world through the eyes of a child, a celebration of the joy that colors our daily lives. The"Palais-Royal" metro exit echoes the art nouveau arabesques ofHector Guimard, the emblematic architect of the early twentieth century who designed the entrances to the new metro.

 Le dernier édicule de type B d'Hector Guimard - Métro Porte Dauphine  -  A7C5187 Le dernier édicule de type B d'Hector Guimard - Métro Porte Dauphine  -  A7C5187 Le dernier édicule de type B d'Hector Guimard - Métro Porte Dauphine  -  A7C5187 Le dernier édicule de type B d'Hector Guimard - Métro Porte Dauphine  -  A7C5187

Don't hesitate to take a fresh look at this marvel of the Paris metro, and discover all its details.

Jean-Michel Othoniel, born in 1964, is an artist known for his poetic and grandiose works. He has exhibited numerous giant necklaces and delicate constructions, including "Paysage Amoureux" (1997), "Le Collier Infini" (1998), "La Fontaine du Plaisir et des Larmes" (2001), "Necklace of Paradise" (2002), "Pluie d'Or" (2002), "Le Bateau de Larmes" (2004), "La Couronne des Cœurs Renversés", "Le Mât des Utopistes" (2004) and many others. Le Kiosque des Noctambules was originally nicknamed "L'Impertinente".

Métro Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre - Kiosque des Noctambules - Jean-Michel OthonielMétro Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre - Kiosque des Noctambules - Jean-Michel OthonielMétro Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre - Kiosque des Noctambules - Jean-Michel OthonielMétro Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre - Kiosque des Noctambules - Jean-Michel Othoniel

If you're fascinated by Jean-Michel Othoniel's work, you'll find plenty more in and around Paris:

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The Petit Palais, home to the Musées des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris, is a true architectural masterpiece. Designed by Charles Girault for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, this museum is a treasure trove. And since admission is free, you'd be wrong not to take advantage of it. [Read more]

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The Grandes Eaux Musicales and Jardins Musicaux at the Château de Versailles return to embellish the garden's basins and fountains for a new season. From March 29 to October 31, 2024, enjoy strolls around the estate's groves and fountains in a magical atmosphere worthy of Louis XIV. [Read more]

Pont aux Boules d'or de Jean-Michel Othoniel au Domaine de MérévillePont aux Boules d'or de Jean-Michel Othoniel au Domaine de MérévillePont aux Boules d'or de Jean-Michel Othoniel au Domaine de MérévillePont aux Boules d'or de Jean-Michel Othoniel au Domaine de Méréville Jean-Michel Othoniel's Pont aux Boules d'Or at Domaine de Méréville unveiled
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Not far from the Kiosque des Noctambules, you can also visit Daniel Buren's columns in the courtyard of the Palais Royal, a more sober artistic spectacle that seems to seek to square the world, to control it.

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