Inauguration of Paris Métro Line 1

The Paris Métro's Line 1 began operations on June 30, 1900, coinciding with the Exposition Universelle. Designed by Fulgence Bienvenüe, the 8.5 km underground line featured 18 stations with distinctive Art Nouveau entrances by Hector Guimard. It used electric multiple units and solved urban congestion in the French capital. The project overcame tunneling challenges beneath historic sites and the Seine. This launch transformed public transit in Paris and inspired subway systems worldwide. The line remains operational today as the busiest on the network, carrying millions daily and symbolizing the Belle Époque's engineering optimism.