Compagnie du chemin de fer métropolitain de Paris
Encyclopedia
The Compagnie du chemin de fer métropolitain de Paris (Paris Metropolitan Railway Company), or CMP, was the forerunner of the RATP, the company managing the Parisian subway
.
(national rail administration) for its rail transport, the City of Paris
decided in 1883 on the construction of a subway
network. There were some tensions between the national government and the city for the control of the operation, but the approach of the World Fair of 1900
speeded the decisions. In 1895, Louis Barthou
, minister for public works, accepted that the construction work should be carried out by the city. That included building the tunnels, viaducts and stations and contracting for the operation. In 1897 the city council chose the General Traction Company, owned by Baron Édouard Louis Joseph Empain. An act of 30 March 1898 declared a public utility for "the construction of a metropolitan railway by electric traction, intended for the transport of the travelers and their hand luggage". The General Traction Company formed the CMP in April 1899.
. Line 1
was opened in 1900 after twenty months of work. The following line, Porte Dauphine-Nation
opened in April 1903.
underground electric railroad of Paris. In 1938, the CMP took over the Sceaux line
, which had until then formed part of the Paris-Orleans railway company. In 1942, the company amalgamated with the Company of public transport of the Paris area which was limited to surface transport. The files of the company were destroyed at the Liberation of Paris
. In 1949 the functions of the CMP were taken over by the newly-formed RATP.
Paris Métro
The Paris Métro or Métropolitain is the rapid transit metro system in Paris, France. It has become a symbol of the city, noted for its density within the city limits and its uniform architecture influenced by Art Nouveau. The network's sixteen lines are mostly underground and run to 214 km ...
.
Origin
So as not to be dependent on the Chemin de Fer de l'ÉtatChemin de Fer de l'État
The Chemins de fer de l'État , often referred to in France as the réseau de l'État , was an early French railway company.-History:...
(national rail administration) for its rail transport, the City of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
decided in 1883 on the construction of a subway
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
network. There were some tensions between the national government and the city for the control of the operation, but the approach of the World Fair of 1900
Exposition Universelle (1900)
The Exposition Universelle of 1900 was a world's fair held in Paris, France, from April 15 to November 12, 1900, to celebrate the achievements of the past century and to accelerate development into the next...
speeded the decisions. In 1895, Louis Barthou
Louis Barthou
Jean Louis Barthou was a French politician of the Third Republic.-Early years:He was born in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and served as Deputy from that constituency. He was an authority on trade union history and law. Barthou was Prime Minister in 1913, and held ministerial office...
, minister for public works, accepted that the construction work should be carried out by the city. That included building the tunnels, viaducts and stations and contracting for the operation. In 1897 the city council chose the General Traction Company, owned by Baron Édouard Louis Joseph Empain. An act of 30 March 1898 declared a public utility for "the construction of a metropolitan railway by electric traction, intended for the transport of the travelers and their hand luggage". The General Traction Company formed the CMP in April 1899.
The first lines
Construction started under the responsibility of engineer Fulgence BienvenüeFulgence Bienvenüe
Fulgence Bienvenüe was a French civil engineer, best known for his role in the construction of the Paris Métro....
. Line 1
Paris Metro Line 1
Paris Métro Line 1 is one of the sixteen lines composing the Paris Métro . It connects the La Défense – Grande Arche and Château de Vincennes stations. With a 16.5 km length, it constitutes an "East-West" route transportation important for the City of Paris...
was opened in 1900 after twenty months of work. The following line, Porte Dauphine-Nation
Paris Metro Line 2
Line 2 is one of the sixteen lines of the Paris Métro rapid transit system in Paris, France. Situated almost entirely above the former city walls , it runs in a semi-circle in the north of Paris....
opened in April 1903.
Mergers
In 1929, the company merged with the Company of the North-SouthNord-Sud Company
The Nord-Sud Company was an operator of underground trains in Paris established in 1904, which built two lines and had a concession to build a third...
underground electric railroad of Paris. In 1938, the CMP took over the Sceaux line
Ligne de Sceaux
thumb|Old ligne de Sceaux, between [[Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse]] and [[Boullay-les-Troux]]"La Ligne de Sceaux" was a railway line in France running from Paris to some of its southern suburbs, including Sceaux from which it takes its name...
, which had until then formed part of the Paris-Orleans railway company. In 1942, the company amalgamated with the Company of public transport of the Paris area which was limited to surface transport. The files of the company were destroyed at the Liberation of Paris
Liberation of Paris
The Liberation of Paris took place during World War II from 19 August 1944 until the surrender of the occupying German garrison on August 25th. It could be regarded by some as the last battle in the Battle for Normandy, though that really ended with the crushing of the Wehrmacht forces between the...
. In 1949 the functions of the CMP were taken over by the newly-formed RATP.