Paris1972-Versailles2003

I have taken the metro in Paris, surprise ? Not really, if you worked in Paris like me public transport is a must to get your transport discount as much as 50% off ! I found me an old picture of Stalingrad line 2 of the metro and even if written posts on each metro line, this one was special for meeting friends, I hope it helps you understand a bit more what Paris is in its metro or subway or tube underground. Therefore, here is my take on the Metro line 2 and specifically Stalingrad stop. Hope you enjoy the post as I

Generally and condense as much as possible not to repeat, the metro of Paris line 2; open december 13, 1900. It has four above ground stations, for more than 2 kms. These are Barbés-Rochechouart, La Chapelle,Stalingrad, and Jaurés. The Stalingrad metro stop openend in 1903. You have nice views over the canals and the cinemas MK2 at 14 quai de la Seine, or have a drink at Côte Canal, 5 quai de la Seine. My favorite as well as the Rotunda resto, Easy rides here as taken often from Charles de Gaulle-étoile and meet my collegues by Stalingrad going into the La Rotonde Stalingrad (see post) at  6-8 Pl. de la Bataille de Stalingrad for drinks and apéro, My boss at the time lived by Nation so we found a middle ground to meet and mingle.

The specific Stalingrad station on lines 2, 5 and 7 of the Paris metro, located on the border of the 10éme and 19éme arrondissements or districts of Paris. The station is located near the intersection of boulevard de la Villette with avenue de Flandre on the one hand and rue du Faubourg-Saint-Martin on the other hand, the platforms being established: on line 2 (between La Chapelle and Jaurès stations), overhead above boulevard de la Villette at its junction with boulevard de la Chapelle, between rue de Tanger and the intersection with rue d’Aubervilliers and rue du Château-Landon, The station was opened on January 31, 1903 with the commissioning of the section of line 2 North between Antwerp and Bagnolet (now Alexandre Dumas), which would simply become line 2 on October 17, 1907 following the absorption of the line 2 South (which corresponds to a large part of the current line 6) by line 5 on October 14 of the same year. On February 10, 1946, the station took its current name of Stalingrad because of its proximity to the Place de Stalingrad (current Place de la Bataille-de-Stalingrad), newly created in reference to the Battle of Stalingrad, It has connections with line 5 and 7 of the metro of Paris. Like a third of the stations in the network between 1974 and 1984, the platforms of lines 2 and 5 were modernized in the “Andreu-Motte” style, according to a particular treatment for the aerial station of line 2 with a turquoise blue paint on the frames of the bay windows and the laying of flat white tiles on the spandrels ,The platforms of line 2 are equipped with awnings, like all the line’s aerial stations. The lighting is achieved through transparent tubes receiving the neon lights. The right pedestals consist of frosted stained glass surmounting spandrels covered with flat white ceramic tiles. The platforms, devoid of advertising, are equipped with white “Motte” style seats and the name of the station is inscribed in Parisine typeface on enamel plates.

A bit of history I like as usual by me

When the law of March 30, 1898 was promulgated declaring the first six metro lines of public utility, the City decided to urgently undertake the construction of the first line so that it would be open for the upcoming Universal Exhibition. In 1900 , The first section of line 2 was built during the same period as line 1 but taking a little delay and the 1,600 meters of track were opened on December 3, 1900, As such ,Line 2 is the second oldest on the network. It has 25 stations and its route has never been extended. The route of 12 km long, crosses the north of Paris from west to east from Porte Dauphine to Nation. The four aerial stations: Jaurès, Stalingrad, La Chapelle, Barbès-Rochechouart are worth taking indeed better views of beautiful Paris, The station stops along the line 2 are of architecture reminiscent of the style of Gustave Eiffel, combining glass with wrought iron as well as the shapes of arches. A special atmosphere emerges, with a return to the heyday of the industrial era of the late 19C and early 20C.

Like line 1, line 2 is mostly built on the ground, directly under the roadway. On the other hand, it innovates with a course of nearly two km in viaduct, or about 20% of its length. The stations, four of which are overhead, are also somewhat closer to each other than those on line 1. All underground stations are vaulted except Nation and Rome, which are built with a metallic roof, The viaducts have metal spans of lengths between about 19 meters and 27 meters, only the major passages having longer spans about 36 meters for crossing Boulevard Barbès, 43 meters for Rue d’ Aubervilliers and 75 meters to pass over the tracks of the railway companies, On January 31, 1903, the Antwerp – Rue de Bagnolet section is opened and, finally, the entire line to Nation, on April 2 1903, The line 2 begins at Porte Dauphine station, in the 16éme arrondissement of Paris. After a connection with lines 4 and 5 and the Gare du Nord USFRT station, the line, now located under Marguerite-de-Rochechouart boulevard, joins the Anvers station and begins its aerial route which ends before the Colonel Fabien station.

The Paris transport network RATP on metro line 2 : https://www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes/metro/2

The Paris tourist office on the La Rotonde Stalingrad: https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/72313/La-Rotonde-Stalingrad

There you go folks, this is another memorable spot in my eternal Paris! Aren’t they all ? Again, hope you enjoy the post as I, And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!