Paris Metro's


All pictures © 1999-2002 by Frédéric Delaitre

Old (1900, background) and new (1931, foreground) Victor Hugo station, Paris Metro, Line 2. The MF67 stock train on the right leaves for Porte Dauphine terminus.

300 series motor car, 10.230 meters long, (1904/1905) in use on line 2 until 1930 due to the sharp curve of Victor Hugo station.

The 1900 part of Victor Hugo station. The left platform is unused while the right one is occupied by RATP storage and offices. In the background, the tunnel toward Porte Dauphine.

The 1931 station under the avenue Victor Hugo, looking towards Etoile.

The junction between the 1900 station (left) and the 1931 station (right). A new exit was built in 1931 for the platform towards Porte Dauphine. 1900 exit is used to access RATP offices installed on 1900 platform towards Porte Dauphine.

1900 tiles (right) and 1931 standard bevelled tiles (left) coexists within the station.

The tiles of the 1931 were manufactured by BOULENGER, a company based in Choisy-le-Roi, in the south-eastern suburbs of Paris. Bevelled tiles were used since 1903 in order to enhance the lighting of the station. At this time, incandescent lighting was providing a mere 5 lux lighting intensity at platform level (fluorescent tubes in use since the 50s fares a better 250 lux).

Poster announcing the closure for two months of the station

A letter was sent to all the neighbourhood giving some additional details. It is worthwile to note that complete closure of stations for refurbishment corresponds to RATP new policy. In the past, works were simply carried out at night, as it is still the case for correspondance station (e.g. Péreire on Line 3) or terminus station (e.g. Pont de Levallois on the same line 3), also part of this refurbishment program. In the case of Victor Hugo station, this decision will cause great inconvenience to users. Etoile station on line 2 is 800 meters from the Place Victor Hugo, and the Porte Dauphine terminus is 500 meters from the same. In addition, bus 52 between place Victor Hugo is usually overcrowded and unreliable.

Poster announcing the closure for two months of the station

[Translation from french:]

Paris, May 25th, 2002.

"Dear Sir/Madam:

"Since 1999, the RATP has launched an extensive program of refurbishment of the metro. In four years, in nearly 200 stations, the lighting will be modernised, the tiling will be renovated and new direction signs will be put into place.

"As part of this new program, called "Renewing the Metro", your station Victor Hugo will benefit from important and simultaneous works that will imply a complete closure for security and efficiency reasons.

"Thus, the station will be closed from July 15th till September 17th, 2002. However, access to line 2 will still be possible by the stations: "Porte Dauphine" or "Charles de Gaulle - Etoile".

"During this period, access, booking hall, corridors will see a complete modernisation of the lighting, fittings of new luminous signs, brand new tiling and new direction signs substituted to old ones.

"Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience and we thank you for your understanding.

(Signed) Jean-Pierre Bonningue, Project Manager.

[End of translation]

Apart from the inconvenience caused to the numerous users of this station, these major works will probably imply the disappearance of memorabilia directly related to the early years of Paris Metro. The original varnished tiles of the 1900 station that survived two World Wars and the 1931 station rebuilding will probably disappear.

Original 1900 varnished unbeveled tiles. Dimensions: 190mm by 130mm

According to the ADEMAS Society, the CMP, the private company in charge of the Paris Metro in 1900, proceed with different tile tests in Porte Dauphine (line 2), Victor Hugo (line 2) and George V (line 1) - before selecting of what is now the standard beveled Metro tile. The only remnants of these attempts may be found in Porte Dauphine and Victor Hugo station, for how long?

Another probable victim of the refurbishment works is this interesting 1930's standard advertisement frame casted into the original 1900 tiles (end of platform in Porte Dauphine direction):

1930 advertising frame casted into original 1900 tiles.

Finally, what will happen to the Victor Hugo permanent (and rather small) exhibition on the "Nation" platform:

Victor Hugo exhibition on platform "Nation". On the wall, reproduction of contemporary pictures and Hugo's drawings.