Serge Gainsbourg: origin of the name and station history
Served by: metro line 11.
Why this name?
A line 11 station in Les Lilas, it is named after the singer Serge Gainsbourg, with the agreement of Jane Birkin, who also suggested a bronze statue of the author of « Le Poinçonneur des Lilas ». It lies under boulevard du Général-Leclerc-de-Hautecloque, in the Sentes district, as part of the redevelopment of the cité Henri-Dunant and the town centre. Built by cut-and-cover, it is about 20 m deep, and served as the exit shaft for the line 11 tunnel boring machine.
Anecdote
The Serge-Gainsbourg garden, at Porte des Lilas, is 1.5 km to the west and is not served by the station. A petition launched in late 2023 asks for it to be renamed; the town hall has mentioned a cost of 900,000 to 1 million euros.
Around Serge Gainsbourg
- Mairie de Bagneux, 650 m away — The Bagneux town hall, a close southern suburb undergoing major urban transformation.
- Théâtre Victor-Hugo, 800 m away — A municipal performance hall hosting theatre, dance and concerts for Bagneux residents.