The Paris Metro Primer

The Paris Metro is a huge, mostly-underground, network of 133 miles. There are 384 stops, including 245 stations within the 41 sq mile City of Paris. It is the second largest in the world (after Moscow) and hosts the largest station in the world, Chatelet-Les Halles, which is best avoided. The Metro carries an average of 4.5 million passengers a day, (that's an annual total of over 1.6 billion passengers).

I've read somewhere that no matter where you live in Paris, you are never more than a few hundred meters from a metro entrance.

It's the most efficient way to travel quickly within in a city plagued by small streets, too many cars, illegal parking, and way too many people. And it's relatively economical if you buy a monthly pass ($90 including the bus system). BUT, it is can also be crowded, dirty and noisy.




Some people make their home in the darker corners of the Metro


Musicians (some good, others not so,) play the corridors. If you like the music, you offer some spare change.










Advertising billboards line most corridors




Finding the ABNORMAL


It is not normal to see an empty platform.



An empty metro car is a very rare experience



Dancing in an empty metro car, now that's a very VERY rare experience!

DM