Paris Métro
The Paris Metro is the city's subway system. It was originally known as the "Chemin de Fer Metropolitain" ("Metropolitan railway"), then "Metropolitain". The abbreviation "Métro is now used (except by speakers of verlan).
The system consists of 16 lines: 1 - 14, and two minor lines 3b and 7b, numbered thus because they were formerly branch lines.
History
Inaugurated in 1900, after decades of political wrangling over routes and construction.
Built and run by the CMP. A second company, "Nord-Sud" started up in 1911 and built two lines. Both were merged in 1930. CMP became state-owned in 1945 and renamed RATP (will expand the initials later...)
See also
Links