Tag: Metro

Metro Station of the Month: Mirabeau (line 10)

The Metro station Mirabeau on line 10 is a unique and surprising station in Paris. As two other Parisian stations it has a single platform. But the reason why is not the same: it is due to the fact that only the trains towards Gare d’Austerlitz stop at this station. In the opposite direction -Boulogne- there is no stop at Mirabeau… but at Eglise d’Auteuil, 200 meters further.

When one is waiting for a train on the platform towards Gare d’Austerlitz, one has the surprise to see the trains going by in the opposite direction without stopping as if they were about to fly! Indeed the track is greatly inclined as the railway tunnel eastwards is much deeper because it goes under the Seine.

One can also have a ride in a train towards Boulogne and sit in the first carriage. The crossing of the station Mirabeau without stopping is really impressive, especially when the train enters the tunnel at the end of the slope: Do not miss it! The metro line 10 is the less crowded in Paris – except during Roland-Garros tournament- and one can travel to Boulogne and back being seated.

Back to earth : The Pont Mirabeau of course, made famous by Guillaume Apollinaire; but also the beautiful Eglise d’Auteuil built in a Roman-Byzantine style. And above all I recommend you to have a walk through the streets and alleys of the former Village of Auteuil: its private houses and Art Deco buildings are really worth the visit! Enjoy!

Christine Bokobza – Good Morning Paris The Blog – www.goodmorningparis.fr

Practical information : Website of the RATP

Metro Station of the Month: Liège (line 13)

Our Metro Station of the Month, Liège, is not as central or as easy to reach as the previous ones. Indeed it is located on the metro line 13 which is reputed to be the most crowded and the most irregular metro line in Paris. I recommend you to go there at off peak hours!

Yet Liège is one of the most beautiful and original metro stations in Paris. For several reasons… Firstly it is one of the two Parisian stations whose platforms are not lying opposite one another but one after the other. This happens quite often in the London underground while in Paris only two stations were built in that way: the second one is Commerce, located in 15th arrondissement on metro line 8. Regarding Liège this is due to the narrowness of the street where the station was created.

Secondly the metro station Liège has got for many years limited opening hours. I remember that when I started to run Good Morning Paris I had a B&B very close to that station. Nevertheless I did not mention to my guests the metro station Liège but Place Clichy, which was a little further but always open, while Liège was closed from 8pm and on Sundays! Fortunately this changed in December 2006… further to a demonstration of the inhabitants inside the station.

And above all the station Liège is beautifully decorated with ceramics from Welkenraedt (a Belgian town located in the province of Liège) which show monuments and landscapes of the city of Liège and its surroundings. Those works were added in 1982 to cover the white walls facing the passengers in each half-station. One does not know why the ceramics are in colour on the platform towards south while they are in Blue and White only on the platform towards north. No matters! Each of them (eighteen in total) is remarkable and mention the name of the place represented.

Unusual opening hours, unusual platforms… The metro station Liège is unique and charming with its ceramics and its traditional white, blue and brown glazed tiles, so typical of the Parisian metro.

Back to earth: Do not miss the New Athens area where many painters and writers used to live in the 19th century. It is located only a few minutes walk towards the east and is really peaceful and romantic.

Christine Bokobza – Good Morning Paris The Blog

Practical information : Website of the RATP

Exploring Passy: A Peaceful Walk in the Shade of the Eiffel Tower

A bit of history: the Village of Passy

The area of Passy is located in the heart of the 16th arrondissement of Paris along the Seine River between the Trocadéro Gardens and the ‘Maison de la Radio’. It is a peaceful and smart area made charming thanks to its luxurious buildings Belle Epoque or Art Nouveau style, its cobbled alleys, high stairs and great views on the Eiffel Tower.

The Village of Passy was born when a community of monks attracted by the vineyards and the beautiful views on the Seine River settled there in 1493. The famous French writer Honoré de Balzac moved there in 1840 and one can still visit the house where he put the finishing touches to ‘La Comédie Humaine’. In 1860 the Village of Passy was annexed to the City of Paris and it has then been gradually modernized. Most of the beautiful buildings and houses one can see today were built in the early nineties and Passy is now a very chic and sought-after residential area thanks to its luxurious houses with magnificent views on the Eiffel Tower.

Exploring Passy-Paris-Balzac House
Exploring Passy-Paris-Balzac House

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