I have done early when I started my blog way back in Nov’10 a series of runs on each line of the Metro de Paris. I figure it is time to update and renew this information; vital for any visitor and resident as well. Paris not only have Parisians but French from every department of France and even some foreign residents and/or citizens who use it every day. I hope it helps you understand a bit more what Paris is in its metro or subway or tube underground. Of course, remember, this is for historical purposes only, I always prefer to be above ground in Paris !
After having worked in Paris, and living in Versailles nearby for about 9 years, I am amaze at the number of people coming from places where there is no subway.metro:tube and gladly jump in into the Paris metro and rave about it back home. Like it was a tourist attractions; well I like to tell some historical stories of the Paris metro. I will try to write a bit on each line ,sort of like an historical anecdote rather than photos, maybe one if can find it. The story is the important thing here.
Ok did I said Paris has 16 metro lines ? yes I did, so here are two more short ones and seldom or never use by yours truly short and feeder lines really. In technical terms, they should be counted thus. So let me finish by telling you a bit on them as well shall we! I admit might have used them but do not recall taking these lines ever ,goes to show you I have not seen it all!!!
We have the Line 3 bis of the metro de Paris. This line from the 20éme arrrondissement or district of Paris links the Gambetta and Porte des Lilas stations to the east of the city. It is the shortest on the network, and by far the least frequented, Built during the 1910s as an extension of line 3, it was disconnected from it in 1971, during the extension of line 3 at Gallieni, and operated since independently.
The terminus at Porte des Lilas was then abandoned in favor of the new one, built in Bagnolet, while creating a short autonomous Gambetta – Porte des Lilas line: the line 3 bis. Line 3 bis is entirely underground , and its total length is 1.289 km (bit over 1 km). With only four stations, which are Porte des Lilas, Pelleport, Saint-Fargeau , and Gambetta.
The line 3bis get you to the Père Lachaise Cemetery, Théatre National de la Colline, and the Church Notre-Dame-de-Fatima-Marie-Médiatrice , main Catholic church of the Portuguese community.
The line has two connections with the rest of the metro network: with line 3, north of the Gambetta terminus on the track towards Porte des Lilas, by the old train route from Pont de Levallois – Bécon to Porte des Lilas; with line 7 bis, at the exit of the Porte des Lilas terminus on the track towards Gambetta.
There is also, Line 7 bis of the metro de Paris. Located northeast of the city, almost entirely in the 19éme arrondissement or district, it links the Louis Blanc station in the west to Pré-Saint-Gervais station in the east. After line 3 bis, it is the shortest and least traveled line on the metro network of Paris.
It was authorised in 1911 as a branch of line 7, but it was not until 1967 that this section was isolated to form an independent line. The section is isolated to constitute an independent line, named 7bis, on December 3, 1967. The line measures 3.066 km (bit over 3 km)long for eight stations and becomes the shortest line of the network until the establishment of line 3 bis (see above) . It is entirely underground.
The stations in the line 7 bis are Louis Blanc, Jàures, Bolivar, Buttes Chaumont, Botzaris, Danube, Place des Fêtes, and Pré Saint Gervais. The line 7bis serves in particular the Stalingrad quariter, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and the Place des Fêtes, Canal Saint-Martin, Bassin de la Villette ; Rotonde de la Villette, Church Saint-François d´Assise, and the Parc de la Butte du Chapeau Rouge.
The line has four connections with the rest of the metro network as with line 7 at the end of the Louis Blanc half-stations, on the Château-Landon side, in each direction of traffic; with line 3 bis via the Pré-Saint-Gervais – Porte des Lilas shuttle route at the entrance to the Pré-Saint-Gervais station (this is also a technical stop and trains can stop here longer ); also with line 3 bis via the holiday route between the Place des Fêtes and Pré-Saint-Gervais stations, at the peak; these last two connections meet and end at the station known as Porte des Lilas – Cinema.
On this short post, give you the Paris metro network handle by RATP: Official RATP public transport Paris on the Metro
Hope it helps you understand the myriads of public transport options in Paris, yet still is jam on all modes! It takes an effort to see my eternal Paris. Hope you have enjoy the ride
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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