“métro, Expo, Resto”

Break out of the mould of “métro, boulot, dodo” (a French expression that, translated literally, means “Métro, work, sleep”) and get ready for “Métro, expo, resto”, as Babylangues introduces you to a new way of exploring the Paris Métro system. Join us in our quest to discover the various stations dotted across the city. How did they get their name? What are the surrounding neighbourhoods like? What can be found nearby? Some many questions and Babylangues has all the answers!

Étienne Marcel

Keeping with our theme of Babylangues this month, we’ve chosen to cover Étienne Marcel in our Metro-Expo-Resto section this month. It is one of the closest stations to our Babylangues office and is in a very lively quarter! Étienne Marcel serves the line 4 in the 1st arrondissement and is named after the eponymous provost. In the medieval age, Étienne Marcel was a representative of the merchants of Paris and was very active in trying to defend their rights against the king of the time. So much so that he actually revolted against the king and nearly handed over the city of Paris to the English!

The station was opened in 1908 and is thus one of the older stations of the Paris metro. Its only exit is on the Rue de Turbigo, so at least that means there’s no getting lost. The station is incredibly central so there’s loads to see around the area. Have a look below…

What Is There To Do Nearby? 

  • Église Saint-Eustache

This church sits in the courtyard of the Les Halles shopping centre and is certainly an impressive sight. It started off as a small chapel to Saint Agnes in the 13th century, then was gradually expanded and built over to become the size that it is today. From the outside you can see a number of architectural techniques to support the weight of the towers of the church. Interestingly enough, the church has elements of a mixture of styles: Roman, Gothic and Renaissance.

  • Tour Jean-Sans-Peur

This is a sort of guard tower built in the 15th century by the duke Jean I of Bourgogne (also known as Jean sans Peur or Fearless Jean). The tower is all that’s left of the residence of the dukes of Bourgogne. In fact, the tower was actually forgotten about for around 400 years after the death of the last Bourgogne duke, but in 1866 it was rediscovered. It was subsequently classed as a historical monument and restored.

  • Babylangues office

The main attraction you’ve all been waiting for (just kidding). Our office is just a two minute walk from Étienne Marcel down the Rue de Turbigo. We’re open from 10:00 – 18:00 and visitors are always welcome!

Discover more metro stations HERE.