StreetView Europe Network
Open since 1900 – One of the world's oldest and most comprehensive urban rail networks. Your practical guide for daily use.
The Paris Metro (Métropolitain) opened its first line on July 19, 1900, just in time for the Universal Exhibition. Over 120 years later, it has grown into a network of 16 lines covering 245.6 km across the city and its inner suburbs, serving 321 stations.
Operated by RATP, the metro runs at very high frequency — often every 2 to 5 minutes during peak hours — making it the fastest and most reliable way to move around Paris.
Each line has a distinct colour and number. Lines 1 and 14 are fully automated. Below is a summary of the major lines.
| Line | Key Route | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Défense ↔ Château de Vincennes | Fully automated, crosses Paris centre |
| 4 | Montrouge ↔ Saint-Denis | North-south axis, very busy |
| 13 | Saint-Denis / Asnières ↔ Châtillon | Longest line, branches in north |
| 14 | Saint-Denis Pleyel ↔ Orly Airport | Automated, airport connection |
+ 12 more lines covering the entire city (lines 2, 3, 3bis, 5, 6, 7, 7bis, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12).
The Navigo pass is a rechargeable smart card for unlimited travel on metro, bus and RER within defined zones. A weekly (semaine) or monthly (mois) pass offers the best value for regular travellers. Available at any metro station ticket office.
Valid for one journey anywhere within the metro network (zones 1–5 within Paris). Can be purchased individually or in a carnet of 10 at a discount. Ticket machines accept bank cards and coins.
The Île-de-France Mobilités app (iOS/Android) lets you buy and store tickets on your phone. Contactless bank card payment is accepted at most turnstiles on newer lines (1, 4, 14).
A tourist-oriented unlimited travel pass available for 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days. Sold at airports, main stations and the RATP website. Includes travel to Versailles and both airports with the extended zone option.
Free paper metro maps (plans du métro) are available at any station information desk. The RATP app and Google Maps both work well for real-time navigation. Citymapper is very popular among Parisians for multi-modal journeys.
Transfer between metro lines within the same station is free and does not require a new ticket. Major interchange stations include Châtelet-Les Halles (Europe's busiest underground station), République, Montparnasse-Bienvenüe and Nation.
For destinations beyond central Paris (Versailles, CDG Airport, Disneyland Paris), use the RER regional express trains. The same Navigo card works on RER within purchased zones. A separate ticket may be required for extended zones.
When the metro is closed (roughly 01:15–05:30), Noctilien night buses cover the city. Look for the 'N' prefix buses at major hubs like Châtelet and Gare du Nord. Standard metro tickets are valid on Noctilien.
For questions about this guide or the StreetView Europe network, contact us by email:
contact@segplaza.com