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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2009 12:46:20 GMT
In some cities, all of the subway entrances look the same with very few exceptions. This is not at all the case in Paris, with different styles being used over the years. Visitors can become disoriented if they don't immediately recognize the various signs. However, there are three styles that are much more common than the others. The original metro entrances were designed by Hector Guimard in his inimitable vegetal art nouveau style. When I was little, I was absolutely mesmerized by the weird orange lamps. In fact I think I still am. Sometimes there is a simplified version for secondary entrances or exits. 141 of the Guimard entrances were created from 1900 to 1912. 86 of them remain, and they have been protected from destruction since 1978. Guimard entrances have been installed in subway systems of five cities of the world: Montréal, Lisbon, Moscow, Mexico City and Chicago. The one in Montréal is the only original -- the others are copies. In 1935, the "Dervaux" entrances began to appear. They were an adaptation of a similar earlier version, but this version is the one that continues to be more commonly seen. As the century progressed, metro entrances became more utilitarian. One reason that a lot of the Guimard entrances disappeared is because they are difficult to paint, clean or repair. If ever you see one being repainted, you will be astounded by the number of coats of paint of different colors that are used to get that special green hue. Unfortunately, this is what they thought looked nice and modern starting in 1970. Boring! There are plenty of these all over the place, too, and I have seen new stations appear even in this century using this style. Yuck! There is a new metro line with a different style, but the signs and entrances will not become a classic. If you can remember these 3 styles, you can spot 90% of the subway stations in Paris from 500 meters distance.
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Post by traveler63 on Aug 27, 2009 13:22:35 GMT
Is this one still there ? I think I remember seeing it back in 2007 when we visited. I seem to recall it was down around the Louvre, but could be wrong.
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Post by imec on Aug 27, 2009 13:33:58 GMT
Mind if I add this one?
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Post by traveler63 on Aug 27, 2009 13:39:56 GMT
Imec
I love this one!!!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2009 14:21:34 GMT
Can you believe that both of those were built and installed in the year 2000 for the millennium celebrations? However, there are something like 4 authentic roofed ones left of the type that Imec photographed.
The strange modern one is at Palais Royal, next to the Louvre.
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Post by spindrift on Aug 27, 2009 14:56:07 GMT
What a marvellous idea for a photo-essay. I've never paid any attention to Metro/Underground entrances. When the SwineFlu threat has abated I'll go up to London for a day and photograph some London underground entrances.
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Post by lagatta on Aug 27, 2009 23:46:25 GMT
Have any of you thought that "Paris metro entrances" can also incorporate the verb "to entrance"?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2009 19:33:07 GMT
I have seen some entrances in buildings. I think Riquet and maybe St Fargeau ?
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Post by traveler63 on Aug 29, 2009 14:31:39 GMT
We will be looking for the entrances because I remember that we loved all of the ones that we used. One of the things we are going to do is go on photo safaris in Paris, just hop aa metro, any one and get off anywhere, and take our time exploring the area we land in. We are also going to do the same on the buses. The metro fascinates me because we have nothing like it here in the West US, a little maybe in Los Angeles and the last time we were in Seattle, the city was working on something similar, but for the most part we Americans are married to our cars.
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Post by patricklondon on Aug 29, 2009 16:00:44 GMT
Traveler, is BART still running in San Francisco - and the streetcars?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2009 16:39:18 GMT
I've seen quite a few complaints on some of the other travel sites about the Paris metro being inadequately equipped for the disabled. I think this is true of every subway system that is about 100 years old or more (London, New York...) and retro-fitting is very complicated and expensive. However, it is being done, slowly but surely. The most recent metro line (14) was built with lifts for every station, but even a lot of the older lines are beginning to get the necessary equipment.
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Post by greyghost1 on Aug 29, 2009 18:10:03 GMT
That Big yellow M made me laugh...A couple of years ago we ate at Au Pied de Cochon and the food didn't sit too well so to speak. I had seen a public toilettes sign and I went hustling to it...through that vast area of Les Halles and couldn't find it/them. Returned to my husband desperate...even eying a piece of plywood leaning against a wall when he turned and saw that big yellow "M" and said there's a McDonalds...they'll have a toilette... I hurried over and there was a metal grill cutting off the steps so I returned and said it must be closed. Two years later we were attending a St Eustace concert and as we exited I saw that big yellow "M" again but as I went to look closer I saw it was not a McDonalds but a Metro entrance.... We both laughed so hard when I pointed out what it really was.
This is one of those times I could have used one of those public free toilettes Kerouax2 did an essay on.
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Post by traveler63 on Aug 29, 2009 20:13:21 GMT
Patricklondon:
Yes they are as far as I know, with California's money problems, who knows. Also, I forgot to mention the light rail in Portland, Oregon. It was introduced there before we moved and if was wonderful. It has been expanded and goes from the west burbs to downtown and all the way to the airport I think on the east side. I also think has expanded quite a ways south of the city .
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 29, 2009 22:04:44 GMT
*tentatively raises hand*
I kind of like the sleek 70s railing and the big yellow M in its open circle.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2009 7:55:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2009 8:56:10 GMT
I kind of like the sleek 70s railing and the big yellow M in its open circle. Me too.
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Post by greyghost1 on Aug 30, 2009 20:42:18 GMT
Funny Kerouac2! But no-laughing here- I wouldn't.
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Post by fumobici on Aug 31, 2009 19:03:06 GMT
There's also this type seen on line 3 in the XXe, this one on Avenue Gambetta. They look like a park toilet to me. Larger similar version at the Eastern end of Av. Gambetta at the Port des Lilas.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2009 19:07:12 GMT
Yes, those are very deep stations which have always had a lift. The stairs are complete killers in that part of town. One of the nearby stations, Télégraphe, was used by the Germans during WW2 as a security bunker in case of bombing.
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Post by nic on Aug 31, 2009 19:26:00 GMT
If only I had my pictures on this computer. There were some interesting shots of Metro stations, and even went so far as to ride every single line (except the 7 bis.), and snapped a shot or two of all the station platforms and names! Favourite names: -Ecole Militaire; -Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre; (I still can't pronounce 'Louvre' correctly; the lady on the speaker has me baffled every time). -Quatre-Septembre; -Arts et Métiers; -Filles du Calvaire. There are others, but they're slightly more obvious. For some fun, check out this annagrames de metro map here. You can also find one for London's Tube system, here. The Powers That Be in London, proving the British to be as dull as ever, have had a lot of it removed. Some sites that mirrored it now read, "Content removed at the request of Healeys Solicitors acting on behalf of Transport for London and Transport Trading Ltd."
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Post by nic on Aug 31, 2009 19:32:56 GMT
Greyghost1, you would have never had that problem at my own metro station! So now I know where you live, K2. If I had to choose, I like the art nouveau style the best. They're iconic, and they definitely stick out. However, the Dervaux ones really grew on me while in Paris. The 70's-esque M-in-Circle is dull, and boring. While it might work in London or New York, I expect far better of Paris.
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Post by nic on Aug 31, 2009 19:38:30 GMT
Traveler, is BART still running in San Francisco - and the streetcars? Muni still runs through San Francisco, which is their equivalent (not really) of Le Metro. Trolleys are still traversing the hills, and the street cars are still going back and forth from the Castro to Fisherman's Wharf. Primarily for tourists, they still end up providing a quality bit of public transit for locals. BART is still running, too. It will always run -- there's no alternative to the Bay Bridge otherwise, and with all the bridge closures due to construction, all activity between SF and the East Bay would grind to a halt. Plus, it's cheaper than parking in the city. Fare hikes, however, have just recently gone into effect across all modes of transit.
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Post by nic on Sept 9, 2009 6:14:55 GMT
It's easier to appreciate the "Dervaux" entrances when they're lit up. This is at the Filles du Calvaire Metro on the way to Le Marché des Enfants Rouge.
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Post by patricklondon on Sept 9, 2009 13:25:29 GMT
Snap! (I think) - one I took as an ensemble of Parisian things (it's either Filles du Calvaire or the next station along, St Sébastein-Froissart): London, of course, has a messy collection of all sorts of different buildings, and therefore of entrances, although the signage is reasonably consistent (for now).
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2010 18:58:41 GMT
Porte Dauphine
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Post by tod2 on Nov 1, 2010 15:02:24 GMT
Kerouac - You mention the TELEGRAPHE Metro station and WWII, do you know if it has re-opened? When we went on a Paris walk( I think 2 trips ago) it was sealed off. This was a very interesting link someone, I think Cigalchanta, posted on Fodors. It shows every single metro entrance in Paris. www.parisinconnu.com/guimard/l1p1.php
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2010 17:58:55 GMT
Yes, Télégraphe is open as usual. One thing that has changed in the last 10 years or so is that they completely close some of the stations to renovate them. That way, it only takes about two months to get everything done. In the old days, the work would last six months or more when they could only work from 1 am to 5 am when the system was closed (not to mention paying night premiums on the salaries).
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Post by myrt on Nov 2, 2010 7:11:52 GMT
Porte Dauphine I love this one! It looks like the entrance to an Art Deco time machine.....fabulous If it was - where would you go?
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Nov 4, 2010 17:46:56 GMT
Isn't it lovely ;D
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2011 18:28:04 GMT
It is relatively rare to find a station that mixes two styles in the same entrance.
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