Paris Métro Line 2

Line 2
MF 2000 at Nation station
Overview
Type	Rapid transit
System	Paris Métro
Locale	Paris
Termini	Porte Dauphine Nation
Stations	32
Operation
Opened	1900
Owner	RATP
Rolling stock	MF 2000
Technical
Track length	12.4 km (7.7 mi)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Standard gauge

Line 2 is one of the sixteen lines of the Paris Métro rapid transit system in Paris, France. Situated almost entirely above the former city walls (boulevards extérieurs), it runs in a semi-circle in the north of Paris.

As its name suggests, Line 2 was the second line of the Métro to open, with the first section put into service in December 1900; it adopted its current configuration in April 1903, running between Porte Dauphine and Nation (Paris Métro). There have been no changes in its service pattern since.

At 12.4 km (7.7 mi) in length, it is the seventh-busiest line of the system, with 92.1 million passengers in 2004. Slightly over 2 km (1.2 mi) of the line is built on an elevated viaduct with four aerial stations. In 1903, it was the location of the worst incident in the history of the Paris Métro, the fire at Couronnes.

Chronology

• 13 December 1900: The first portion of line "2 Nord" was opened between Porte Dauphine and Étoile.
• 7 October 1902: The line was extended from Étoile to Anvers.
• 31 January 1903: The line was extended from Anvers to Bagnolet.
• 2 April 1903: The line was extended from Bagnolet to Nation.
• 10 August 1903: A short circuit on a train caused a disastrous fire that killed 84 people at Couronnes and Ménilmontant stations.
• 14 October 1907: Line "2 Nord" was renamed line 2.

Map and stations

Map of Paris Métro Line 2

Stations renamed

• 15 October 1907: Boulevard Barbès renamed Barbès – Rochechouart.
• 1 August 1914: Rue d'Allemagne renamed Jaurès.
• 6 October 1942: Aubervilliers renamed Aubervilliers – Boulevard de la Villette.
• 19 August 1945: Combat renamed Colonel Fabien.
• 10 February 1946: Aubervilliers – Boulevard de la Villette renamed to Stalingrad.
• 1970: Étoile renamed Charles de Gaulle – Étoile.
• 13 September 1970: Bagnolet renamed Alexandre Dumas.

Tourism

• The Aerial stations between Barbès – Rochechouart and Jaurès are built on a viaduct offering views of Paris.
• Metro line 2 passes near several places of interest :
  • Avenue Foch, which is the largest avenue in Paris, and the Arc de Triomphe.
  • Parc Monceau.
  • Pigalle and the Moulin Rouge.
  • Barbès and Belleville and their African and Asian influences.
  • Père Lachaise cemetery.
  • Place de la Nation.

Gallery

• 

  Barbès – Rochechouart

• 

  Charles de Gaulle – Étoile

• 

  Monceau

• 

  New MF 2000 train used on the route

• 

  Interior of an MF 2000

• 

  Dynamic destination display

• 

  

  MF 67 leaving Charles De Gaulle – Étoile

See also

• List of stations of the Paris Métro
• List of stations of the Paris RER

External links

• (French) RATP official website
• (English) RATP english speaking website
• (English) Interactive Map of the RER (from RATP's website)
• (English) Interactive Map of the Paris métro (from RATP's website)
• (French) Mobidf website, dedicated to the RER (unofficial)
• (French) Metro-Pole website, dedicated to Paris public transports (unofficial)