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. This access, characteristic of the Art Nouveau style, has been inscribed in historical monuments since May 29, 1978. It is one of the five original entrances to the station, which now serves lines 4 and 5 of the metro, as well as RER B, D and E via underground connections.

Gare du Nord station was put into service in two stages: first on November 15, 1907 for Line 5, then on April 21, 1908 for Line 4. Initially, Line 5 consisted of a terminal loop, abandoned in 1942 in favour of a conventional station during its extension. The docks on line 4, originally 75 metres long, were extended to 90 metres in 1967 to accommodate trainsets on tyres, requiring structural changes such as the removal of historic stairs under a metal cloister.

With 51.1 million passengers in 2019, Gare du Nord is the busiest station on the Parisian network. Its Guimard edicle, a symbol of the architectural identity of the Paris metro, bears witness to the aesthetic innovation of the early twentieth century. Interior design has evolved over the decades, such as the application of the 'Motte' style in the 1970s, marked by white aligned tiles and green elements, or the recent automation of line 4 with the installation of pallet doors between 2018 and 2019.

The school is located in a dense urban context, close to the SNCF du Nord station, a historic starting point for the northern regions of France. Its 1978 ranking reflects the heritage recognition of the Guimard entrances, only a few of which remain today. The station, connected to several RER stations and bus lines, plays a central role in the transports of francilians, illustrating the gradual integration of rail and road networks in the 20th century.

External links