Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Guimard building of the Blanche station, located boulevard de Clichy in Paris, is an access to the metro designed in 1900 by architect Hector Guimard for the Compagnie générale du Métropolitain. It is part of the emblematic achievements of Art Nouveau, an artistic movement that marked the beginning of the twentieth century with its organic forms and curved lines. This edicle, registered to historical monuments since 1978 and again in 2016, symbolizes architectural innovation linked to the expansion of the Paris metro network in the early 1900s.

The Blanche station, opened on 21 October 1902, is part of the development of line 2 of the Paris metro, originally called line 2 Nord. It owes its name to the proximity of Place Blanche and Rue Blanche, the latter being historically associated with the extraction and transport of plaster from the quarries of Montmartre. The white powder-laden tombs left characteristic traces in the neighborhood, influencing its name. The resort, renovated several times, now retains its original bevelled white tile, restored in 2010.

The Guimard building of the Blanche station is one of the few original accesses still in place, testifying to the architectural heritage linked to Parisian transport. It is distinguished by its unique style, combining wrought iron and glass, and its harmonious integration into the urban landscape of Boulevard de Clichy. Nearby, emblematic places such as the Moulin Rouge or the Montmartre cemetery reinforce the historical and cultural appeal of this area of Paris.

The protection of this edicle is part of a desire to preserve the works of Hector Guimard, whose creations for the Paris metro have become symbols of the city. The decree of 2016 extends this protection to Guimard's remaining achievements for the metro, stressing their heritage importance. Today, this access remains a landmark for travellers and a testimony to the history of public transport in Paris.

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