Arts et Métiers is a Paris métro station that you are less likely to pass during your travels unless you’re on your way to Père Lachaise Cemetery. But it is one that is well worth a visit.
General Information
Located in the 3ème arrondissement, Arts et Métiers station is named after Musée des Arts et Métiers, a museum which dates back to 1794 and is devoted to the preservation of scientific instruments and inventions.
Arts et Métiers métro station
The station has two lines, Line 3 running in the directions of Gallieni – Pont de Levallois-Bécon and Line 11 in the directions of Châtelet – Mairie des Lilas.
For the bicentenary of the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers in 1994, the station was redesigned by François Schuiten, a Belgian comics artist in a style that echoes the science fiction works of Jules Verne.
Line 11 Platform
The platform for Line 11 – the shorter métro line – has copper panelling, portholes and wheels suspended from the ceiling. Subdued lighting adds to the effect. Even the seats and the bins glow in a copper tone. Sit down and look up, and you’ll feel like you’re on board the Nautilus.
Wheels suspended from ceiling
Nearby Attractions
You can visit Musée des Arts et Métiers which is located nearby but there’s little else of interest in this part of Paris for the visitor.
Tips
Make sure you visit both platforms. While the Line 3 plaform may look a little subdued in comparison to its counterpart, take note of the copper lighting above your head.
If you are visiting Père Lachaise cemetery, allow a little more time to stop at Arts et Métiers station and marvel at the interior. It is well worth a detour if you’re looking for something different to do on a rainy day.
Line 3 Platform
Line 3 platform lighting
Photo Gallery
Portholes and copper bins
Roue hydrolique , debut XIX siècle (early 19th century)
Sphère Armillaire XVIII siècle (18th century)
Copper seats
This article is part of the ongoing series Paris Métro stations aimed at inspiring the enjoyment of this public transportation system. In the series: Abbesses, Bir-Hakeim, Cité, Cluny-La Sorbonne, Europe.
[…] at inspiring the enjoyment of this public transportation system. In the series: Abbesses, Cité, Arts et Métiers. […]
[…] the enjoyment of this public transportation system. In the series so far: Cité, Cluny-La Sorbonne, Arts et Métiers.. […]
[…] the series so far: Abbesses, Cluny-La Sorbonne, Arts et Métiers. […]
The Arts et Métiers Paris métro station looks really gorgeous and elegant! I love the classic design and the colors of the whole metro station.
Stunning, isn’t it…
Wow! Such a cool station. I never knew the Paris metro was so arty!
A lot of stations have something interesting about them, which is why I’m running this series. But some are just plain but I always take a photo regardless!
Beautiful & surreal, I love this one, especially the porthole views!
Cool, aren’t they… I didn’t photograph each one. People give me odd looks in the metro when they see a camera!
I also love the metro, but agree that using a camera can get you strange looks.
It would be the same as people photographing our local stations, but nowhere near as interesting 🙂
I love this station. I think next time we’re in Paris, we’re not going to see much above ground. We’ll be following all your tips about the arty metro stations. 😉
Julia
I laughed out loud when I read your comment!! So much to see underground… on rainy and cold days! 🙂
Another great pick! Imagine feeling 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and still being in Paris.
I hope I am slowly starting to covert you 🙂
Corinne – You are, and you know, I had friends who lived near the Arts & Metiers stop and I never checked out the line 11 part….pity. (I’ll be back in Sept & Oct!! I may go just to see it.)
I’m glad! 🙂 It’s like that isn’t it… we tend to miss things areund us until someone points it out!
(I know I’m a little obsessed with the metro… )
Oh my gosh, I love this series! Except.. well the usual problem being that it makes me homesick for Paris.
Same here… going through my Paris photos for this series is the biggest (and nicest) time waster!
[…] aimed at inspiring the enjoyment of this public transportation system. In the series: Abbesses, Arts et Métiers, Cité, Cluny-La Sorbonne, Europe. Corinne (Ms Gourmantic) has a strong penchant for packing a […]
[…] aimed at inspiring the enjoyment of this public transportation system. In the series: Abbesses, Arts et Métiers, Bir-Hakeim, Cité, Cluny-La Sorbonne. Corinne (Ms Gourmantic) has a strong penchant for packing […]
[…] I’m going to make my way back to the 6th and 14th arrondissements soon. I might get off at the Arts et Metiers station, just to take a submarine picture. It won’t be a great picture. It’ll barely show the […]