Pré Saint-Gervais: origin of the name and station history
Served by: metro line 7 bis.
Why this name?
The station takes its name from rue du Pré-Saint-Gervais, near the gate of the same name, which leads to the commune of Le Pré-Saint-Gervais. It opened as the terminus of one of the two north-eastern branches of line 7, which split at Louis Blanc, before becoming the terminus of line 7 bis. It lies in the Amérique district, under boulevard Sérurier, and its single deep entrance is equipped with lifts or stairs. The original project planned a terminus at Danube, then at Place des Fêtes, before a one-way loop between the two.
Anecdote
The Guimard pavilion at the entrance, listed as a historic monument, carries a Val d'Osne mast in place of the usual cast-iron gantry; it is one of five stations combining a Guimard pavilion with another totem. For the tests of the MP 51, the world's first rubber-tyred metro prototype, the shuttle track to the former Porte des Lilas - Cinéma station was reopened to passengers, from 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm, for a period. The neighbouring Mouzaïa district once had six windmills along rue de Bellevue.
Around Pré Saint-Gervais
- Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, 1100 m away — A park opened on 1 April 1867, the day of the Universal Exposition, designed by Alphand. Davioud's Temple de la Sibylle stands about 50 m above the lake, which is crossed by a 63-metre suspension bridge designed by Eiffel.
- Mairie du Pré-Saint-Gervais, 550 m away — The town hall of Le Pré-Saint-Gervais, a town linked to major historic socialist rallies.
- Square de la Butte du Chapeau Rouge, 400 m away — An elevated garden offering unobstructed views over the surrounding area.