Who designed the access kiosks to the Paris metro stations in France?

Hector Guimard, born in 1867 and died in 1942, was the French architect and designer responsible for the iconic aediculae of Paris metro stations. These structures, built in the Art Nouveau style, have become one of the most recognizable symbols of the French capital.

At the end of the 19th century, Paris was booming, and the construction of the Paris metro, launched in 1900 to coincide with the Universal Exhibition, required practical and aesthetic access to underground stations. Hector Guimard, already renowned for his Art Nouveau style, was chosen to design these entrances.

Art nouveau, an artistic movement that emphasized organic forms, curved lines and inspiration from nature, was reflected in Guimard’s designs. The kiosks he designed for the Paris metro are characterized by their undulating shapes, cast-iron structures and plant motifs. Glass panels, stylized lettering and decorative elements make these aediculae much more than mere subway entrances, they are veritable works of art.

Guimard designed several versions of these aediculae. The best-known are the “édicules à porte-billet”, with canopies and benches, and the simpler “entourage-bouche”, with cast-iron surrounds and ornate railings. Guimard’s distinctive style not only contributed to the visual identity of the Paris metro, but also left its mark on the urban architecture of the Belle Époque.

Today, many of these aediculae remain, although some have been dismantled over the decades. Nevertheless, Hector Guimard’s creations remain an emblematic testimony to Art Nouveau in Paris, and continue to attract the attention of tourists and architecture enthusiasts the world over. Guimard’s work on these aediculae has left a lasting imprint on the Parisian urban landscape and the history of modern architecture.