Paris Metro Line 2
Encyclopedia
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
(boulevards extérieurs), it runs in a semi-circle in the north of Paris.
As its name suggests, Line 2 was the second line of the Métro to open, with the first section put into service in December 1900; it adopted its current configuration in April 1903, running between Porte Dauphine
and Nation (Paris Métro). There have been no changes in its service pattern since.
At 12.4 km (7.7 mi) in length, it is the seventh-busiest line of the system, with 92.1 million passengers in 2004. Slightly over 2 km (1.2 mi) of the line is built on an elevated viaduct with four aerial stations. In 1903, it was the location of the worst incident in the history of the Paris Métro, the fire at Couronnes
.
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 ...
rapid transit system in 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...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Situated almost entirely above the former city walls
City walls of Paris
Over time, several city walls of Paris were built :* a gauloise enclosure * a Gallo-Roman wall* two medieval walls including the main one : the wall of Philippe Auguste* the wall of Charles V, extending on the right bank...
(boulevards extérieurs), it runs in a semi-circle in the north of Paris.
As its name suggests, Line 2 was the second line of the Métro to open, with the first section put into service in December 1900; it adopted its current configuration in April 1903, running between Porte Dauphine
Porte Dauphine (Paris Metro)
Porte Dauphine is a station of the Paris Métro. It is the western terminus of Line 2. Nearby, one can transfer to the RER C at Avenue Foch station...
and Nation (Paris Métro). There have been no changes in its service pattern since.
At 12.4 km (7.7 mi) in length, it is the seventh-busiest line of the system, with 92.1 million passengers in 2004. Slightly over 2 km (1.2 mi) of the line is built on an elevated viaduct with four aerial stations. In 1903, it was the location of the worst incident in the history of the Paris Métro, the fire at Couronnes
Paris Metro train fire
The disastrous Paris Métro train fire occurred on the evening of August 10, 1903, on what was then Line 2 Nord of the system and is now Line 2...
.
Chronology
- 13 December 1900: The first portion of line "2 Nord" was opened between Porte Dauphine and Étoile.
- 7 October 1902: The line was extended from Étoile to Anvers.
- 31 January 1903: The line was extended from Anvers to Bagnolet.
- 2 April 1903: The line was extended from Bagnolet to Nation.
- 10 August 1903: A short circuitShort circuitA short circuit in an electrical circuit that allows a current to travel along an unintended path, often where essentially no electrical impedance is encountered....
on a train caused a disastrous fireParis Metro train fireThe disastrous Paris Métro train fire occurred on the evening of August 10, 1903, on what was then Line 2 Nord of the system and is now Line 2...
that killed 84 people at Couronnes and Ménilmontant stations. - 14 October 1907: Line "2 Nord" was renamed line 2.
Map and stations
Stations renamed
- 15 October 1907: Boulevard Barbès renamed Barbès – Rochechouart.
- 1 August 1914: Rue d'Allemagne renamed Jaurès.
- 6 October 1942: Aubervilliers renamed Aubervilliers – Boulevard de la Villette.
- 19 August 1945: Combat renamed Colonel Fabien.
- 10 February 1946: Aubervilliers – Boulevard de la Villette renamed to Stalingrad.
- 1970: Étoile renamed Charles de Gaulle – Étoile.
- 13 September 1970: Bagnolet renamed Alexandre Dumas.
Tourism
- The Aerial stations between Barbès – Rochechouart and Jaurès are built on a viaduct offering views of Paris.
- Metro line 2 passes near several places of interest :
- Avenue FochAvenue FochAvenue Foch is a street in Paris, France, named after Ferdinand Foch in 1929. It was previously named Avenue du Bois de Boulogne. It is one of the most prestigious streets in Paris, and one of the most expensive addresses in the world, home to many grand palaces, including ones belonging to the...
, which is the largest avenue in Paris, and the Arc de TriompheArc de Triomphe-The design:The astylar design is by Jean Chalgrin , in the Neoclassical version of ancient Roman architecture . Major academic sculptors of France are represented in the sculpture of the Arc de Triomphe: Jean-Pierre Cortot; François Rude; Antoine Étex; James Pradier and Philippe Joseph Henri Lemaire...
. - Parc Monceau.
- Pigalle and the Moulin RougeMoulin RougeMoulin Rouge is a cabaret built in 1889 by Joseph Oller, who also owned the Paris Olympia. Close to Montmartre in the Paris district of Pigalle on Boulevard de Clichy in the 18th arrondissement, it is marked by the red windmill on its roof. The closest métro station is Blanche.The Moulin Rouge is...
. - Barbès and Belleville and their African and Asian influences.
- Père Lachaise cemetery.
- Place de la Nation.
- Avenue Foch