Paris Maps - Per Request - Subway Photos and Paris Metro Subway System Map

A subway map, a weekly pass, and the Paris subway system is a photographer's best friend on a photo trip, and I'm sure it's the same for anyone else traveling through. You zip down a stairway, hop into one of the remarkably well maintained and timely trains, and 5 to 20 minutes later you pop up at any site you're headed for - the Eiffel Tower, Pere Lachaise, the Louvre or any of the hundreds of other destinations in Paris. Below are a couple photos of underground stations, quite well designed and varied. Paris Maps are linked below:



Here are the Paris Maps. After hours of digging before my trip, and weeding through all the scams, SPAM, and ripoffs, I found the actual maps published by the Paris Metro System Map Department. They are for non-commercial use only, including my photos of the maps taken at the subway stations on site. There are two 'Best' options for maps of paris, and both of them are printable. They provide similar information and maps, but the first is a simple PDF file while the other is a more intricate website. If you just meed a map, and a very good one, go for the first option. If you want to explore a bit more and don't find the intricacies daunting, go for option two. Either way, one of these map options should easily meet your needs.

Bookmark this post... The sites can be very confusing.


Map 1

Paris Maps - Paris Metro Subway Map

Map 2

Paris Maps - Interactive Paris Metro Map

(Note: On Map 2, select the orange button on the interface that comes up initially)



Some Wikipedia info gave me a 'big picture' overview of the subway system - Here it is:
The Paris Métro or Métropolitain (French: Métro de Paris) is the rapid transit metro system in Paris. It is a symbol of the city, notable for its station architecture, influenced by Art Nouveau. It has sixteen lines, mostly underground, and a total length of 214 km (133 mi). There are 300 stations. Since some are served by several lines, there are 384 stops in total.

Paris has one of the densest metro networks in the world, with 245 stations within 86.9 km2 (34 sq mi) of the City of Paris. Lines are numbered 1 to 14, with two minor lines, 3bis and 7bis. The minor lines were originally part of lines 3 and 7 but became independent.Lines are identified on maps by number and colour. Direction of travel is indicated by the destination terminus.

Paris is the second busiest metro system in Europe after Moscow. It carries 4.5 million passengers a day, and an annual total of 1.479 billion (2009). Châtelet-Les Halles, with 5 Métro lines and three RER commuter rail lines, is the world's largest underground station.


My Photo below is of the Art et Metiers station, quite unique, and a work of art in itself.