Riding on the Me-tro-oh-oh

I admit, I can't think about the Metro without hearing Berlin's song in my head.  I'll share my little ear worm with you...

I remember searching for the perfect words
I was hoping you might change your mind
I remember a soldier sleeping next to me
riding on the Metro

Paris is definitely a walking city.  It is more compact than you would think as it is roughly six miles across.  Walking is definitely our preferred method of transportation, but there are times when the Metro is the way to go.  I thought it might be interesting to chronicle a journey of sorts, from the Metro point of view. 

The Paris Metro opened in 1900 with one train running from Porte de Vincennes to Porte Maillot.  One hundred years later the Metro system has about 124 miles of track, 15 lines and 368 stations.  No matter where you are in Paris, you are no more than 500 meters from a Metro station. We also discovered another interesting tidbit - if you look at the stops for a Metro Line, you can figure out how long it will take you to reach your destination by allowing 1.5 minutes per stop. 

The trains are relatively frequent and depending on the time of day, they can stop every 3-4 minutes or take as long 10 -15 minutes in the very early/late hours.  The Metro station almost always has people in it and the area around the entrance is also a hub of activity.

People coming ... people going

I should also mention that France has passed a variety of no smoking laws, so somewhere between our visits here in 2000 and 2007, there is no smoking in public places, including the Metro stations.  A common sight is someone stopping at the entrance to finish their cigarette before descending into the caverns.  The street sweepers and sidewalk cleaners do a great job of keeping things tidy, but I guess they can't get down in the grills.

A familiar sight near the Metro Station

Our last glimpse of sunshine and fresh air before we emerge at the other end

Follow the signs and the crowds

The platforms are decorated with a variety of advertising and the name of the station is always present

You can stand or sit while you wait, and the overhead signs tell you when the next train arrives

When you enter a station, you can hear the trains pulling in and out.  Unless you know the timetables by heart, you can't tell if your train is the one arriving, or the one going in the opposite direction.  Regardless, the folks in a hurry start running in the hopes they'll catch their train!

This was the train going in the other direction.  Phew!  We didn't miss our train!

The trains can get crowded, the seats are small and you don't get to choose who sits next to you.  Obviously.

We arrived at our destination; you have to move quickly because the doors close and the train moves on.

Most of the Metro stations and tracks are underground.  Metro line 6 has both above and below ground tracks and stations. 

La Motte-Piquet Grenelle Station on Metro Line 6

Another interesting thing about the Metro stations - people walk fast.  There must be a no-lollygagging-allowed law.

Sometimes, our Metro ride takes us to a train station.  The stations are huge and at times feel like an airport:

All Metro lines this way

Or take the exit and follow the signs and moving walkways to the other terminals

And take the next exit to the train station

Don't let all the different levels fool you

Grab a coffee...

a snack...

and a ticket.

Don't stop moving, but do admire the snazzy neon lights!

Find your platform

Board your train!

The great thing about trains and the Metro is that once you've navigated the stations, you can sit back and enjoy the ride!