Since 1988 and the opening of the northern branch of the C Branch of the RER, this station has served the Neuilly—Porte Maillot Station of the RER C. The two stations are connected by a long corridor.

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Métro/RER ticket (both sides)

You can buy individual Métro tickets or packets of 10 tickets (a Carnet). The per ticket cost of the Carnet is less, not surprisingly. If you’re in town for a while, consider getting the “Carte Orange” or “Ticket hebdomadaire” which is valid from Monday, through Sunday. (Note: you will need a small photo for this sort of pass.) Cost of Métro & RER tickets depends on distance traveled. Within central Paris cost is the same as Métro tickets, and the same ticket is also valid on both systems.

Both the Métro and the RER (Réseau Express Régional) are run by the RATP – Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens. The RATP also runs the buses.

A Bit of History

The Métro opened on 19 July 1900, its first line being from Porte de Vincennes to Porte Maillot (not surprising it is now the line number 1). Fulgence Bienvenüe was the engineer in charge of construction, the architect Hector Guimard being responsible for the Art Nouveau entrances (see image).

The system has 199 km (124 miles) of track and 15 lines. There are 368 stations (not including RER stations), 87 of these being interchanges between lines. Every building is within 500 metres of a métro station. There are 3500 cars which transport roughly 6 million people per day. There are 15000 employees of the métro.

For more information please check out the two links below.

Google Map (click on link)

Paris Metro Subway IPHONE Application (Click here)

The “One Two Two Club”  rue de Provence 75008 (Metro St Lazare or Havre Caumartin) was one of the most prestigious and popular brothels in Paris. The “One Two Two” pronounced in English,was a a very well known brothel, used by many famous people including Cary Grant and Randolph Churchill, Winston Churchill’s son.

Opened in 1933 by Marcel and Fabienne Jamet (daughter of one of the most powerful Police Inspectors of Paris!). During the Second World War this establishment was the meeting place for the German officers of the famous Wehrmacht and many of the girls working at the club, would help the resistance by giving them precious information that they over heard when the officers were drinking together or taking a shower. The brothel was closed in 1949 just before France changed the law concerning brothels, and in 1950 shut them all.

Some interesting facts

The “One Two Two” used to be open from 1400hrs to 0500hrs. The “One Two Two” only  shut one day a year, Christmas day. The girls had one day off a week, If they were ill without permission, they were fined 200 francs, and on the second time, they would be sacked. There was forty members of staff, from security, to hairdressers, beauty therapists and dry cleaning workers, chefs and bar staff.

In the ”One Two Two” there were 20 bedrooms, 10 living rooms, and 12 shower rooms. There were 60 prostitutes working at any one time, 200 appointments a day up to 300 visitors a day and over 150 bottles of champagne consumed a day.

Below you will see a photo of the famous “One Two Two club” notice the two sets of doors, the double doors was the main entrance and the single door to the left was the discreet exit. There were white wooden shutters on every window that remained closed all day and night.  

Google Map (Please click here)

les Arènes de Lutèce was one of the biggest fighting arenas in Paris or Lutèce as it was called back when the Arena was made, probably beginning of the 2nd Century. It is thought that there were another six in Paris, but unfortunately have since disappeared.

When you walk into the Arena it is quite impressive,(even my 11 year old daughter who thinks Hannah Montana is the best thing in the whole world, was actually quite gob-smacked!) firstly you notice the huge cast iron doors of the two lion cages that were the highlight of any Gladiator fight. Then looking up you will see just how huge the place is. It is estimated (by the ville de Paris) that probably 17000 people could sit and watch somebody being ripped apart by a starving lion…beats watching ‘Come Dancing!!’. The walls are 2.50 metres high and there is a small stage that is 42 metres long.

If you are planning to go and have a look, I strongly recommend going on a Sunday morning, as no one ever seems to go in the morning. I found that if you shut your eyes your imagination starts to run wild, and you can almost hear the clashing of the swords and the lions growling, try it!. 

Google Map (please click on link)

The Oldest Tree in Paris can be found in the Square Vivani in the 5th district, left bank opposite the Notre-Dame Cathedral (Metro Pl St-Michel). It dates back to 1602, and was brought from Virginia (USA) to Europe as a present for King Henri IV. As you can see from the photos, there is a concrete frame supporting this beauiful tree. I strongly recommend a visit to this park where you also have an incredible view of Notre-Dame.  Give this tree a cuddle!!

The name of this variety is “Robinia Pseudacaia” this tree is just in front of the Church (Eglise Saint Julien le Pauvre).

The only other area where we think there are older trees is in the forest called Bois – Boulogne which is located on the outskirts of Paris. I will be shortly publishing an article on this forest as there is a tree of great interest, but I will tell you more at a later date.

Google Map (Please click on link)

Auberge Nicolas Flamel (please see link below)

Google Map (please click here)

Please see links below

Please click here (Debauve & Gallais Site)

Google Maps (Please click here)

(please see link below)

Le Procope (Please click on link)

Google Map  (please click here)