Bérault: origin of the name and station history
Served by: metro line 1.
Why this name?
Opened in 1934 on line 1, Bérault takes its name from place Bérault in Vincennes, which honours a former deputy mayor of the town (1796-1871). The station lies under avenue de Paris, on the border between Vincennes and Saint-Mandé, at place Bérault and avenue du Petit-Parc. Its exit 1, « Hôpital Bégin », is the only one in Saint-Mandé. The National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information is nearby, and Vincennes RER station, 300 metres away, is actually closer than Château de Vincennes, the station the RATP lists for the connection, 500 metres away.
Anecdote
The RATP chose Bérault as the prototype station for the renovation of line 1 before its automation: the platforms were completely redone in 2008-2009 and fitted with platform screen doors in early 2009. The Gaudin-style decor combines rounded white lighting strips, bevelled white tiles and green Akiko seats, and the station name appears in the Parisine typeface on backlit panels set into wooden boxes. The station has four exits, including those on rue Segond and rue des Vignerons.