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Key figures

Origin and history

The Guimard building of the Wagram station is an access to the Paris metro, designed in 1900 by architect Hector Guimard for the Compagnie du Métropolitain. This Art Nouveau model, characteristic of the entrances to the Paris metro at the beginning of the 20th century, was installed for the Wagram station, opened in 1910 during the extension of line 3. The building, located at the corner of Brémontier Street and Villiers Avenue, embodies the innovative visual identity of the network at its inauguration.

Wagram Station, named after Wagram Avenue (1809), has undergone several renovations since the 1960s. The wharfs, initially modernised with a green and then blue metal bodywork, were entirely redesigned between 2021 and 2023 as part of the programme A metro + beautiful, removing the internal historical elements in favor of a bevelled white tile. Only the Guimard edicles, like Wagram's, remain protected as witnesses to original architecture.

Ranked a historic monument by decree of 29 May 1978 (renewed in 2016), the Wagram edicle is one of the rare examples preserved of the 141 entrances designed by Guimard between 1900 and 1913. Its protection specifically covers the access area, stressing its heritage importance despite the gradual disappearance of other period elements in the station. The annual attendance, around 2.4 million travellers before 2020, reflects its anchor in the Parisian daily.

The surrounding area, the Plaine-de-Monceaux (17th arrondissement), is home to institutions such as the Saint-François-de-Sales church or the embassies of Georgia and Armenia. By its location in the Place Monseigneur-Loutil, this city heritage is a dialogue, while recalling Guimard's pioneering role in integrating art into public infrastructure. Its style, marked by vegetal curves and cast iron structures, influenced the 20th century industrial design.

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