Discovering Paris on foot includes the notion of enjoying the Paris Métro and this article is dedicated to the elegant Paris Métro signs that steal the Eiffel Tower’s show. Discovering Paris includes discovering the beauty of its Métro.
MÉTRO Signs
Table of Contents
There are many different types of Métro signs. Some stations even have unique signs. All are attractive in their design.
Lamp atop a MÉTRO sign on a red background
This type of Paris Métro sign consists of a globe-shaped lamp atop a “MÉTRO” sign featuring bold typography on a red background.
Val d’Osne
The Val d’Osne variant is surrounded by an ornate cast-iron frieze.
“Paris Metro Sign” by Fabio Venni – Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Commons.
Dervaux, Art Déco
The Dervaux variant follows the contemporary trend away from decorative embellishment.
Lamarck Caulaincourt
The following variant can only be found on the pavement with an arrow directing people to Lamarck Caulaincourt Métro station.
Vaneau
The following type of Métro signs can only be found at Vaneau station.
Special Métro signs at Vaneau station illuminated at night
MÉTRO signs on a red background without a lamp
Franklin Roosevelt
The following type of Métro signpost can only be found at Franklin Roosevelt station.
See Also: Interior design of Franklin D. Roosevelt station
MÉTRO sign in red
Place Monge
The following type of Métro sign in red between two arches can only be found at Place Monge station.
« Station Place-Monge » par LPLT — Travail personnel. Sous licence CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Blue-Themed MÉTRO sign
Sentier
The following type of Métro sign on a blue background, against a blue ring and a large red “M” can only be found at Sentier station.
PASSAGE PUBLIC – MÉTRO
During World War II, the Métro served as a refuge in case of air raids. This type of Métro signpost indicates that there is an underground passage.
M Signs
Yellow M
This type of Métro signpost features an internally lit sans serif yellow “M” in an open circle of two stainless steel rings.
Blue M
Métro signposts built since 1998 on Line 14 are entirely novel, featuring a two-dimensional design with modern blue “M” in blue circle.
Yellow M on blue
This type of Métro sign is round with a yellow M on light blue background.
“Metro 5 Quai de la Rapee ext” by Vincent BABILOTTE – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Commons.
MÉTROPOLITAIN Signs
Nord-Sud
The Nord-Sud style MÉTROPOLITAIN sign is in white on a red background.
Saint-Lazare
The Saint-Lazare type shows MÉTROPOLITAIN in white on a black background.
« Metro Paris – Ligne 3 – station Bourse 02 » par Clicsouris — Travail personnel (Photo personnelle). Sous licence CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Guimard, Art Nouveau
Before moving on to take in Paris Métro entrance design, let’s appreciate a related art nouveau style “MÉTROPOLITAIN” signpost. The Guimard style “MÉTROPOLITAIN” sign is held between two ornate, sinuously curved lampposts, in the form of symbolism of plant stems, in which the orange lamp is enclosed by a leaf. The volatile typography almost appears to be melting.
Guimard style MÉTROPOLITAIN signpost at night
Paris Métro Entrances
Guimard style entrances
This type of entrance features a kiosk with a glass canopy and an enclosure of panelling decorated in floral motifs.
The entrance of the Métro station at Porte Dauphine, Paris, with a V-shaped glass canopy, designed by Hector Guimard
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“Metro station entrance (édicule Guimard) Porte Dauphine Paris 16e 002” by Moonik – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons.
The entrance of the Métro station at Abbesses, Paris, with a pitched glass canopy, designed by Hector Guimard Abbesses
“Abesses entrance 1“. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Commons.
The Hector Guimard-designed kiosk at Abbesses taken in black and white with a MÉTROPOLITAIN sign on a yellow background
Jean-Michel Othoniel style entrance
This unique Métro entrance at Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre station, Place Colette is called “Kiosk of the night-walkers”.
Three sides of the staircase are surrounded by colored glass rings made of metallic mesh of aluminum. Six columns of aluminum spheres support two domes each. One is made of beads in warm colors (yellow, white and red) and the other has cold tones (blue, white, yellow and purple).
See Also: Interior design of Louvre – Rivoli station
Paris’ beauty at every corner is clearly shown in its diverse artistic Métro sign and entrance design, isn’t it?
It took me time to really appreciate the one in Palais Royal. I always found it was out of place.
I must admit that I am so liking the good old structure in dark green that I may be close-minded. I am like that. A little bit old-school ^^.
Very interesting idea for the post!
It’s just now I’ve realized that there are several different Metro signs. I have only acknowledged the difference between yellow M and green-red combination of the inscription. My favorite remains the art déco green-red with a whole word Metropolitain .
Keep on with great posts on cute details like these! 😉
The more posts I read the more impressed I get with Paris. It is incredibly the way it is built. Every single thing in Paris is perfect. Every detail of it is so beautiful. There is nothing else like Paris around the world. I had never seen subway stations signs of this fashion. They all tell a story, Paris story. They are so artistic and unique. I really love them. If you want to know Paris story you don’t have to read history books, you need to go there. Paris will tell you its story; you’ll just have to see, taste, smell and hear when you’re there
Neat signposts. I didn’t notice them when I was there. Personally, I love the ”Kiosk of the night-walkers” because in my own perception it gives an oriental touch to the close surroundings. I love how Paris gives meaning to everything in existence starting from underground spaces to signposts and lighting.
Thank you.