Porte de Pantin: origin of the name and station history
Served by: metro line 5.
Why this name?
On line 5, under avenue Jean-Jaurès, in the 19th arrondissement, the station takes its name from the porte de Pantin, a former gate of the Thiers wall at the start of the route to Germany. Its subtitle, « Parc de la Villette », dates from the creation of the park in 1987 on the site of the former slaughterhouses, which disappeared in 1974. It opened with the extension of line 5 from Gare du Nord to Église de Pantin, and tram line 3b connects here.
Anecdote
In 1995, after the Cité de la musique was created, the platforms were renovated on a musical theme: tiles draw multicoloured notes, arranged like a score on the walls. In 2005, a Braille orientation table was installed in the distribution hall. Designed as an intermediate terminus, the station has three tracks and two platforms, with a central stabling track extended by two siding tracks.
Around Porte de Pantin
- Grande Halle de la Villette, 170 m away — Former cattle hall built from 1865 to 1867 by Jules de Mérindol, a pupil of Baltard: 245 m long, 85 m wide, in iron and cast-iron framework. Renovated in 1983-1985, it hosts shows and fairs.
- Parc de la Villette, 300 m away — A 55-hectare park laid out on the site of the former slaughterhouses, whose closure the City announced in 1973. Bernard Tschumi was given its architecture in 1983. Several themed gardens, with play areas, were built here.
- Musée de la Musique, 350 m away — Around 800 musical instruments from the 16th to 20th centuries on display at the Philharmonie de Paris, including former Conservatoire pieces.
- Philharmonie de Paris, 260 m away — A modern concert hall with striking architecture, devoted to symphonic music.