Opening of line 3 19 octobre 1904 (≈ 1904)
Inauguration of the first section of line 3.
5 novembre 1910
Opening of line 7
Opening of line 7 5 novembre 1910 (≈ 1910)
Terminus south until 1916.
13 juillet 1913
Opening of line 8
Opening of line 8 13 juillet 1913 (≈ 1913)
Oriental terminus until 1928.
Années 1970-2007
Renovation of wharfs
Renovation of wharfs Années 1970-2007 (≈ 1989)
Modernization of lines 7 and 8.
2007
End of the decoration 'piscine'
End of the decoration 'piscine' 2007 (≈ 2007)
Replacement with the 'Metro Renewal' style.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Hector Guimard - Architect
Designer of Art Nouveau edicles.
Léon Chagnaud - Manufacturer
Winner of the competition for line 3.
Charles Garnier - Architect
Creator of the nearby opera Garnier.
Origin and history
The Guimard building of the Opéra station is an iconic architectural element of the Parisian metro, designed by Hector Guimard in the Art Nouveau style. Ranked a historic monument, it is distinguished by its organic forms and cast iron structures, typical of the artistic movement of the late 19th and early 20th century. This access, located on Rue Scribe, is one of the few still visible examples of the original entrances of the Paris metro, designed to mark the visual identity of the nascent network.
The Opera station, inaugurated in 1904 for line 3, became a major hub of the network with the addition of lines 7 (1910) and 8 (1913). His name pays tribute to the opera Garnier, an architectural masterpiece by Charles Garnier, located nearby. The Guimard edicle, integrated into this ensemble, symbolizes the technical and aesthetic innovation of the time, while reflecting the ambition of the modern city of Paris.
The accesses of the station, including the one decorated by Guimard, have been designed to facilitate the movement of travellers in an expanding area marked by the presence of prestigious cultural and commercial places. The church, with its elegant curves and stained glass windows, contrasts with the surrounding Haussmann architecture, while integrating harmoniously. It reflects the desire of the Paris Metropolitan Railway Company (CMP) to combine functionality and beauty in urban infrastructure.
Over the decades, the Opera station has undergone several renovations, notably in the 1970s and 2000s, to modernize its docks and improve the passenger experience. However, Guimard was preserved, emphasizing its heritage importance. Today, it attracts both metro users and tourists, fascinated by its unique design and its history linked to the development of public transport in Paris.
The Opéra station, with its 10.5 million annual passengers before 2020, remains one of the busiest in the network. The Guimard edicle, as a vestige of the Art Nouveau era, recalls the creative audacity that marked the construction of the Paris metro. It also embodies the memory of the urban transformations of Paris, between tradition and modernity.
