5 Unusual Metro Stations in Paris You Should Visit

Last Updated on 1st December 2021 by Sophie Nadeau

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One of the best things about Paris is that there are surprises around every corner. I mean, who knew that there were secret vineyards within Paris? Or that there is a giant Paris Pagoda in the 8e arrondissement? Well, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that there are a number of unusual metro stations in Paris! Not to mention that the majority of these are also really beautiful…

And so, if you’re going to be spending any length of time in Paris, then you’ll likely find yourself purchasing a matchbox-sized sized metro ticket and swiping into the underground. Asides from maybe a trip to the catacombs or a venture into Paris’ sewer museum, it’ll likely be the only opportunity you’ll have to delve into Paris’ underworld. Here are some of the most unusual metro stations in Paris you’ll find below the streets of the city of love…

Arts et Métiers,Opposite Musée Arts et Métiers, Arts et Metiers, 75003

The art deco-inspired metro station lies directly below a museum of the same name. Although the metro station serves both metro lines 3 (olive green) and 11 (brown), it’s only on the station’s line 11 correspondence that you’ll find anything unusual.

The entire metro is decked head to toe in copper plating; with small portholes populated by temporary exhibits and snapshots of Paris in a time gone by. Plan your metro route via the Arts et Metiers metro station if you love a little vintage in your day!

Nearby, the former Saint-Martin-des-Champs Priory now ouses the Arts et Métiers museum, a cultural institution dedicated entirely to the history of technology and working in France and beyond. Directly outside of the Musée des Arts et Métiers, you’ll soon discover one of the many Statues of Liberty dotted around Paris.

Concorde, 248 Rue de Rivoli, 75001

From the outside, the metro station at Concorde looks just like any other. Sure, it may be at the end of Rue de Rivoli, have views onto the Eiffel Tower and be a stone’s throw away from the Jardin des Tuileries, but it’s still just a metro station. Right? Well, no.

It turns out, should you venture onto the metro’s line 12 correspondence, you’ll soon discover that the entire platform is tiled with letter mosaics. Pretty cool! If you were to read the words that these letters form, you’ll find that they spell out the Declaration of the Rights of Man (a document dating from the French revolution in 1789 that has largely impacted on French law today).

The decree was influenced by Thomas Jefferson and General Lafayette. The document later had a large impact and influence on the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. So, if you happen to be in the area, I’d definitely check out this beautiful metro station! Nearby, 59 Rue de Rivoli is an artists’ atelier in a Haussmannian building, free to visit, and well worth checking out!

Palais Royal, Place Colette Rue Saint Honoré Paris 75001

Of all the unusual metro stations in Paris, this may well be the most beautiful! If you’ve spent any time on Instagram, then you’ll likely have seen the colourful glass that decorates the exterior of this metro station. But did you know that the glass is actually Murano Glass from Italy?

The contemporary sculpture is made from hand blown glass arranged by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel. The installation is named ‘La Kiosque des Noctambules’ (kiosk of the nightwalkers) and is further decorated with aluminium detailing.

There is a bench incorporated into the back of the sculpture. Interestingly, there is no sign on the exterior to indicate which metro station the Murano Glass leads to; for the answer, one must walk down the stairs (also lined with Murano glass)…

The Murano Italian glass entrance is just a stone’s throw away from the popular Café Kitsuné and the Louvre Museum. Palais Royal metro station serves metro lines 1 (yellow) and 7 (pink). In the springtime, the Palais Royal park is easily one of the best places in Paris to enjoy the cherry blossom season.

Pont Neuf, 75001, Paris

Money, money, money! Pont Neuf is not only one of the closest station to the Gravestone Courtyard in Paris, but also very nearby to the Monnaie de Paris. At the station, you’ll find giant 3D reproductions of various coins that have been used in France throughout the ages.

Operational since 864, the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint in English) is the oldest continual coin producer in the World. Although much has changed in the way in which coins are produced since the Monnaie de Paris started operating, it’s interesting that the location has never changed. The Pont Neuf metro station is well worth a visit if you’re interested in coins, or just want to see sculptures that are bigger than you!

Abbesses, 75018, Paris

One of the more unusual stations in Paris that has a normal looking platform is that of Abbesses metro station in the 18th arrondissement of the city. Situated steps away from the I Love You Wall, the metro station boasts a beautiful Art Nouveau entrance by Hector Guimard and is situated deep underground.

Truth be told, this line 12 metro station is located 36 metres underground, making it the deepest metro station in Paris. In order to reach the ground level and vice versa, travellers can make use of the two lifts or two sets of spiral staircases that connect the two levels.

The staircase that’s used by voyagers features scenes of beautiful artwork featuring Montmartre, and this in of itself makes taking the stairs (as opposed to the elevator) *almost* worth it!

The metro station is also one of the Paris locations featured in Amelie, though it’s worth noting that the actual filming for the scenes took place in the disused Porte de Lilas metro station. If you visit Abbesses during November and December, you should note that there’s an Abbesses Christmas Market for the festive season.

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