Who would expect to see a level crossing in Paris? Well, funnily enough, there is one – and only one – that can be seen in the 20th arrondissement. Follow the guide…!
The last level crossing in Paris
By the beginning of the 20th century most level crossings had been removed in central Paris in order to facilitate road traffic. Today only one level crossing is found in the French capital and it is situated in rue de Lagny, not far from Porte de Vincennes (20th arrondissement).
This traditional level crossing has four gates which block the traffic when a train comes from the tunnel exit or the depot. Access to the tunnel or the depot is blocked by sliding doors.
It is in fact a facility of the Paris métro as it leads the trains operating in Line 2 to their depot. The maintenance workshops of Charonne were originally built in 1900 at the opening of lines 1 and 2 of the Paris métro.
It is rarely used and I have never been there on the site when the gates were down.
- Location: 89 rue de Lagny, 20th arrondissement
- Closest métro station: Porte de Vincennes (métro line 1, tram lines 3a and 3b)
Lastly, did you know that the French term for “level crossing” was “passage à niveau” (masculine)?
Read more about the level crossing in Paris on these websites/blogs:
- Le dernier passage à niveau de Paris by Le Piéton de Paris (French)
- Un passage à niveau en service à Paris by Anecdote du Jour (French)
- Passage à niveau by Paris Bise Art (French)
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