Product Description

'Not only travelers but Parisians will have the Paris Metro explained by perusing this book in ways they never have before. An absolutely essential guide to really knowing Paris.' observes Robert Cole, author of "A Traveller's History of Paris". What was the original name of the Place de la Concorde? Why was the Tuileries palace so called and when was it destroyed? Who built the Palais Royal? Find the answers to these questions and many others in this fascinating new book, which gives you the history behind the names of all the Metro stations in Paris. Arnold Delaney's text is full of illuminating insights into hidden corners of the history of the world's most elegant city. Take Le Kremlin - Bicetre, an intriguing example of how, over many centuries, names evolve and become corrupted: "...known for its Bicetre Hospital, parts of which date back to the seventeenth century. The town's website explains that the Kremlin portion of the name is due to the fact that after Napoleon's retreat from Moscow in 1812 a hospice for his soldiers was set up in the town and the local pub was called Le Sergent du Kremlin. Bicetre came about because at the end of the thirteenth century Jean de Pontoise the Bishop of Winchester owned land here. The locals had difficulty pronouncing Winchester which became Vincestre and evolved to become Bicetre." The text is complemented by colour photography especially commissioned for the book, which takes a slightly idiosyncratic look at the city as well as giving a taste of the quintessential design and feel of the Metro system.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #412059 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

Customer Reviews

A good general guide for the first-time and the experienced visitor
Not by any means a history or detailed description of the Paris Metro, but rather an explanation for the names of the stations. So, if like me, you sat in the carriage wondering why the next station on the line was called Quatre September, now you'll know with the aid of this book. This book told me much about the background to many events in French history of which I was already aware, but I also learned a lot too.

Don't expect much depth in the analysis of names and the history they tell: the author's list of sources demonstrates he is no professional historian. But if you want some brief background information to whet your appetite, then this is an ideal introduction to why so many station names have the word 'porte' in their title or why Madeleine lives next to the Pyramids!

The book comes in a handy pocket size and has high production values. Good glossy paper, interesting photos, and a station index. The standard Metro map is included for reference.

An amateur's labour of love, but provides just what I wanted
To be honest this book is sparse in places and is not particularly well written but the author has clearly done his research. The result is a very useful factbook. I wanted a simple potted explanation of each metro station's name, and this book provides it.

For a more erudite historical discussion (albeit of just 12 metro stations) I would recommend Gregor Dallas' "Metrostop Paris", but Delaney's book is better suited for stuffing in your pocket while you ride the metro.