Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Guimard building of Denfert-Rochereau station is an access to the Paris metro designed in 1900 by the architect Hector Guimard for the Compagnie du Métropolitain. It is one of the network's iconic entrances, characterized by their Art Nouveau style. This specific edicle, located in Denfert-Rochereau Square, was inscribed in historical monuments by order of 12 February 2016 for its heritage and architectural importance.

The Denfert-Rochereau station, opened in 1906 for line 2 Sud (now integrated into line 6), and in 1909 for line 4, is a major hub of the Parisian network. The Guimard edicle, with its organic forms and cast iron structures, symbolizes the aesthetic innovation of metro entrances in the early twentieth century. It also marks the history of Parisian transport, reflecting the urban modernisation of the period.

The access adorned by Guimard is distinguished by its preserved entourage, located on the square side Claude-Nicolas-Ledoux, near the pavilions of the former barrier of Hell. Its ranking in 2016 underlines the desire to preserve these testimonies of the industrial and artistic heritage of Paris. The station also paid tribute to Colonel Denfert-Rochereau, hero of the defence of Belfort in 1870, and more recently to Colonel Rol-Tanguy, figure of the Liberation of Paris.

The site is also a connecting point between lines 4 and 6 of the metro, as well as with the RER B. Its attendance, although variable (about 4 million admissions in 2019), makes it a central point in the 14th arrondissement. Close to the catacombs and the Lion of Belfort, the church is situated in a rich historical and cultural environment, attracting both metro users and tourists.

The influence of the column goes beyond its functional role: its faience motifs and curves inspired even the artist Victor Vasarely in the 1950s. This detail illustrates how industrial heritage can become a source of artistic inspiration, strengthening the link between architecture, history and culture in Paris.

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