Michel Bizot: origin of the name and station history
Served by: metro line 8.
Why this name?
The station takes its name from its proximity to avenue du Général-Michel-Bizot, which honours the divisional general Michel Bizot (1795-1855). It is in the 12th arrondissement, under avenue Daumesnil, between Daumesnil and Porte Dorée, and opened with the extension of line 8 from Richelieu - Drouot to Porte de Charenton. Four entrances, all on avenue Daumesnil, are named after rue de Toul, rue de Picpus, rue de Fécamp and avenue Daumesnil itself.
Anecdote
The Gaudin-style decor is identical to that of the neighbouring Porte Dorée: white rounded light strips, bevelled white tiles, honey-coloured faience advertising frames and the station name in faience in the original CMP style. The corridors and platform lighting were renovated on 6 July 2005 under the « Renouveau du métro » programme. The fourth entrance, an escalator, serves exit-only passengers from the Pointe du Lac platform.
Around Michel Bizot
- Coulée verte René-Dumont, 700 m away — A 4.7-km linear park inaugurated in 1993 on the former railway line from Bastille to Verneuil-l'Étang, closed in 1969. It is presented as the first project in the world to turn old elevated railway lines into an urban garden.
- Bois de Vincennes, 850 m away — Paris's largest green space, with a lake, zoo and racecourse, a former royal hunting ground.
- Palais de la Porte Dorée, 550 m away — An Art Deco building constructed for the 1931 Colonial Exhibition, now home to an aquarium and a museum.