Did you know? Why is the Tuileries metro station green?

Do you know the secret behind the greenery that now envelops the Tuileries station on the Paris metro? Since summer 2023, this line 1 station has been the setting for a unique art gallery, where plants reign supreme. This metamorphosis is the work of Cyprien Chabert, an artist renowned for his ability to fuse art with nature. His project, christened"Échappée", is a vibrant tribute to the Jardin des Tuileries, located just above the station, as you'd expect.

The initiative is part of RATP 's ambitious project to embellish passengers' daily lives by integrating art and culture into the metropolitan network. With "Échappée", Chabert presents a series of 11 paintings inspired by botany. Combining imagination and scientific rigor, they offer a poetic escape from the often austere environment of the metro.

But why green, precisely? It's not an insignificant choice. Beyond its decorative function, the color green evokes nature and has a recognized calming effect, contrasting with the frenetic pace of urban life. By opting for this palette, Cyprien Chabert creates a visual and emotional link with the Jardin des Tuileries, offering metro users a fragment of nature right in the heart of the capital.

Born in 1976 and trained at the Beaux-Arts de Paris, Chabert's work explores the relationship between man and nature, using a variety of media including drawing, fresco and sculpture. His works invite the viewer to reflect on the importance of plants in our lives and in urban space.

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This artistic approach is part of a century-long tradition of art meets transport. Paris, with its metro network, is a forerunner in the integration of art into public spaces. Works such asHector Guimard's famous Art Nouveau entrances, the Arts et Métiers station transformed into a submarine or the Voix Lactée at Saint-Lazare are eloquent examples of this desire to make art accessible to all.

Tuileries station, with its unusual and atypical face, invites passengers to take a contemplative break, a moment of artistic and plant inspiration. In addition to beautifying the station, this project raises awareness of the importance of art and nature in our daily lives. By taking line 1, we are invited to a unique experience where the metro becomes a place of cultural exchange and a space for reflection on our relationship with the environment.