Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Guimard building of Gare du Nord station, located on Rue de Dunkirk in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, was designed in 1900 by the architect Hector Guimard for the Compagnie générale du Métropolitain de Paris. This monument, emblematic of the Art Nouveau style, has been listed as historical monuments since May 29, 1978. It is one of the five original accesses of Gare du Nord station, one of the most frequented in the Parisian network with more than 51 million annual travellers before 2020.

Gare du Nord station, opened in 1907 for line 5 and in 1908 for line 4, underwent several major changes. In 1942, the terminal loop on line 5 was abandoned for a conventional station, while in 1967, the wharves on line 4 were extended to accommodate pneumatic trainsets. The interior fittings, such as the metal cloister and the "Motte" style of the 1970s, reflect the architectural evolution of the Parisian metro. The Guimard edicle, with its organic forms and cast iron structures, remains a unique testimony of the entry into the modern era of urban transport.

The station is now a major multimodal node, connecting lines 4 and 5 of the metro to RER B, D and E, as well as to many bus lines. Its Guimard edicle, although functional, is also a heritage symbol, illustrating the integration of art into public infrastructure at the beginning of the 20th century. The station's record attendance, despite the variations linked to the health crisis of 2020, confirms its central role in the francilian network.

Around the station, notable places such as the SNCF station in Paris-Nord, the lycée Lamartine or the church Saint-Vincent-de-Paul enrich the urban landscape. Through its design and history, the publishing house embodies both a technical feat and an accessible work of art, lastingly marking the visual identity of Paris.

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