Imagine the size of an 8-story building. That's the depth of Abbesses station, the deepest in Paris! Underneath Montmartre hill, the metro platforms are more than 30 meters deep. This is a record on the RATP network, where the metros usually run between 5 to 7 meters above ground. Elevators are there to help you reach the surface of Montmartre hill.
Abbesses and Montmartre Hill
Do you love art and history? Abbesses is the only station located on Montmartre Hill, just 5 minutes away from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Until 1792, a women's abbey, the 'Dames de Montmartre', was located near the current Place des Abbesses. The Abbesses station is named after the superiors who led this abbey between the 12th and 18th centuries.
But Montmartre is mostly known for being the neighborhood of the most famous artists of the 19th century. Renoir, Picasso, Braque, Apollinaire, and many others found their inspiration here. Are you ready to take over?
A change of scenery for the station entrance
The entrance of Abbesses station, originally very simple, was replaced by the current Art Nouveau structure in 1974. This new entrance traveled across the capital. It was originally located at another station: Hôtel de Ville, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris.
Today, it's impossible to imagine Abbesses station without this magnificent metro entrance! It is one of the most beautiful in Paris and it has perfectly adapted to this historic and artistic neighborhood.
