Design by Guimard 1900 (≈ 1900)
Creation of plans for the Metropolitan Company.
15 novembre 1907
Opening line 5
Opening line 5 15 novembre 1907 (≈ 1907)
Commissioning of the first section.
21 avril 1908
Opening line 4
Opening line 4 21 avril 1908 (≈ 1908)
Inauguration of the first section.
29 mai 1978
First protection
First protection 29 mai 1978 (≈ 1978)
Inventory of historical monuments.
12 février 2016
Extension of protection
Extension of protection 12 février 2016 (≈ 2016)
Arrested covering three specific entourages.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Hector Guimard - Architect
Designer of Art Nouveau edicles.
Origin and history
The Guimard building of Gare du Nord station, located boulevard de Denain in Paris (10th arrondissement), was designed in 1900 by the architect Hector Guimard for the Compagnie générale du Métropolitain de Paris. This access, characteristic of the Art Nouveau style, is one of the five original entrances of the station, inaugurated in 1907 for line 5 and in 1908 for line 4. It was listed as a historical monument on 29 May 1978 and extended by a decree of 12 February 2016 covering three distinct elements of its surroundings.
The Gare du Nord station, under which this edicle is located, became the busiest station on the Parisian network with 51.1 million passengers in 2019. Its history is marked by major transformations, such as the abandonment of the terminal loop of line 5 in 1942, replaced by a classic station, or the modernization of the docks of line 4 in the 1960s to accommodate trains on tyres. Interior developments, such as the raised metal cloister or the 'Motte' style of the 1970s, reflect its continuous architectural evolution.
The Guimard edicle itself, with its organic forms and cast iron structures, symbolizes the aesthetic innovation of the entrances to the Paris metro at the beginning of the 20th century. Although the station underwent numerous modifications (upgrading of the docks in 2018, installation of pallet doors in 2019), this access remains one of the few intact remains of Guimard's work, preserved for its heritage importance. Its inscription as a historic monument specifically protects the surroundings of the accesses located boulevard de Denain and at the corner of La Fayette Street.
The station, linked to RER B, D and E, plays a central role in the network of transports in France. Its name comes from the homonymous SNCF station, itself appointed for its services to the north of France. The school, owned by a public institution, today embodies both an artistic heritage and an urban functionality that is always active, attracting millions of annual users.
The protected elements include three uncadastral entourages: facing numbers 9 and 12 of the boulevard de Denain, as well as the corner with rue La Fayette. These successive protections (1978 and 2016) highlight the heritage value of these achievements, among the last preserved of Guimard's initial project for the Paris metro.
