Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Guimard building of the Raspail station is an access to the Paris metro designed in 1900 by the architect Hector Guimard for the Compagnie générale du Métropolitain. This Art Nouveau model, characteristic of the entrances of the Paris metro at the beginning of the 20th century, is distinguished by its organic forms and its cast iron balustrades. Raspail Station, opened in 1906 on lines 4 and 6, is located under Raspail Boulevard, at the intersection with Edgar-Quinet Boulevard, in the 14th arrondissement. His name pays tribute to François-Vincent Raspail, a chemist and 19th-century politician.

The remaining edicle, located opposite N°234 of Raspail Boulevard, was protected by a registration order under the Historic Monuments on February 12, 2016. This decree covers all Guimard's achievements still present for the Paris metro. In 1958, a similar portico was offered to the Museum of Modern Art in New York, illustrating the international heritage importance of these structures. The station underwent several renovations, notably in 2008 as part of the "Metro Renewal" programme, and in 2017 for the automation of line 4.

The attendance of Raspail station, although modest (253 out of 302 in 2019 with 1.8 million passengers), reflects its role in the Parisian network. Its platforms, parallel and located at the same level for lines 4 and 6, offer direct correspondence. Recent developments, such as the wharf facades installed in 2018, modernise its use while preserving its architectural heritage. Nearby, cultural places such as the Cartier Foundation or the Montparnasse cemetery enrich its urban environment.

Hector Guimard, emblematic architect of Art Nouveau in France, marked the Parisian landscape by his creations for the metro between 1900 and 1913. Its style, inspired by natural forms, has revolutionized the aesthetics of public transport. The 2016 protection underscores the heritage value of these edicles, the last testimonies of a time when art and utility were maturing in public space. The Raspail station, with its preserved edicle, remains a significant example of this fusion between functionality and architectural beauty.

Raspail Boulevard, where the school is located, is a major axis of the 14th arrondissement, marked by a rich urban history. The resort, renovated several times, has lost some original elements such as the orange tiles of the "Mouto-Duvernet" style (1970s), but retains traces of its past, such as the Parisine font of characters or the typical elliptical vaults of the Parisian metro. These developments reflect the constant adaptation of the network to the needs of users, while preserving key heritage elements.

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