Paris, known for its stunning art and architecture, is about to embark on a remarkable restoration project aimed at turning one of the city’s most infamous underground stations into a true landmark. La Fourche, located on Line 13 in the northern part of the French capital, has long been considered one of the ugliest metro entrances in Paris. After more than six decades of sitting as an eyesore, this once-grand entrance is set to be revived, with a €700,000 (£583,000) investment that promises to restore its original beauty.
In the early 20th century, Paris’s metro stations were famous for their Art Nouveau entrances, designed by Hector Guimard. These wrought-iron structures, adorned with sinuous, green-painted designs, became synonymous with the French capital’s charm. Unfortunately, La Fourche’s entrance suffered a tragic fate in 1964 when it was destroyed by a bus that missed a turn. Since then, the station has been a utilitarian replacement that fails to evoke the elegance of its predecessors.
However, a major announcement from local authorities this month revealed that La Fourche would be restored to its former glory. With the funds secured, craftsmen will use 1,351 metal pieces and 2,884 tiles to recreate the entrance, including the distinctive green-colored iron railings.
The project will see La Fourche’s entrance transformed to resemble how it looked when it first opened in 1911, giving it back the style and sophistication that made Paris’s metro stations famous worldwide.
“We are delighted that this project can finally be undertaken,” Geoffroy Boulard, the mayor of the district, told The Times. “This eyesore has been disfiguring the neighbourhood for 61 years, and it’s high time we bring it back to life.”
The restoration of La Fourche’s entrance is sure to delight many Parisians, including Anne-Lise Arnaud, a notary who frequently passes through the station. “The old station entrances are charming,” she commented. “It will be great to see La Fourche brought back to its former beauty.”
But not all Parisians share the same enthusiasm for their city’s metro system. Hugo Vieira, a 21-year-old marketing student, said he often doesn’t pay much attention to the metro stations.
“When I go into the underground, it’s with earphones in and my eyes looking down,” he said. This reflects a somewhat ambivalent attitude toward the Parisian underground network, despite it being an essential part of the city’s daily life.
While many locals express a certain fondness for the Paris metro’s efficiency, the network’s stations and their designs often go unnoticed, as commuters focus on their phones or the task of getting from point A to point B.
Despite these concerns, both Arnaud and Vieira agreed that the Paris metro is a far more affordable option than many other cities, including London, where fares can be significantly higher.
In fact, a standard single fare in Paris costs €2.50 (£2.08), compared to the £2.90 cost of a peak-time fare in London. “The downside of the Paris underground is the insecurity,” Vieira said. “But, overall, the system works quite well.”
