Lovers of the Paris metro may soon have a new must-see destination to add to their list of places to visit. Indeed, Jean Castex, now President of RATP, recently spoke of his desire to create a museum dedicated to the Paris metro. This announcement was made in anticipation of the 2024 Heritage Days , but today the project is gaining momentum and a location has reportedly already been chosen.
A metro museum soon in Paris?
One of the main obstacles is finding a suitable location to house the precious relics of the Paris metro. These treasures include the MP 73, a horse-drawn omnibus and the very first metro train. Currently, these historic pieces are stored in a large hall in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges.
The first option considered was to store the entire collection in this hall, which covers an area of 17,000 square meters. This option was favored by local officials, who were keen to preserve this emblematic site of RATP’s history while attracting rail enthusiasts. However, the trackside location and proximity to Orly airport did not seem ideal to Jean Castex, who would prefer the museum to be located in the heart of Paris.
A more promising option, and the one currently under consideration, would be to convert the Championnet maintenance workshops into a museum. To clarify the situation, RATP has carried out consultations, studied foreign examples of metro museums and set up a scientific committee. So, we’re heading for this 4-hectare site to house the Régie’s important heritage! Scheduled to open in 2032, the museum will plunge us into the history of the railways, thanks not only to the hundred or so vehicles on display, but also to the thousands of objects, items of furniture and archives that make up the company’s collection.
All in all, we should soon be able to marvel at the 100-year history of the Paris metro, although there are still a few hurdles to overcome. We’ll keep you posted!