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Origin and history

The Opera Substation is a building located at 41 rue de Caumartin, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Designed in 1903 by architect Paul Friesé for the Paris Metropolitan Railway Company, it was part of a network of substations designed to convert electric current to power the metro. Its glass façade with iron panels, characteristic of the industrial architecture of the period, makes it a notable example of the technical heritage of Paris.

Originally, the substation housed a engine room equipped with four switches, capable of transforming high voltage AC into low voltage DC for subway trains. These installations have played a key role in the power supply of the network from its inauguration in 1900 to the mid-20th century. The building was raised in 1914, then modified in 1927 and 1972, before being listed for historical monuments in 1992.

Today, the Opera substation no longer has its original function, the traction current being supplied directly in low voltage. The building is occupied by RATP premises, while maintaining its historic status. It reflects the evolution of energy infrastructure related to Paris public transport and the architectural heritage of Paul Friesé, who designed several similar substations in Paris.

The Opera substation is part of a series of protected buildings, alongside the Auteuil, Bastille and Temple substations. These buildings illustrate the strategic importance of electrification of the Paris metro and their integration into the urban landscape. Their preservation allows us to understand the technical and aesthetic challenges posed by the modernization of transport in the early twentieth century.

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