“A nightmare”: 450 entrances will be removed from the Paris Metro by 2029, and these stations are the first to be affected
On the Paris Metro, metal turnstiles have been a daily fixture for more than 45 years. However, their gradual phase-out is now official, and the replacement schedule is moving faster than expected at many stations.
Aging equipment that frustrates users
The turnstiles installed at station entrances cause real problems every day. They get stuck, refuse to turn, or trap passengers at the wrong moment.
What’s more, automatic double doors with their rubber edges can quickly become dangerous. Getting through them with a stroller, a suitcase, or your arms full is a real challenge.
Worse still, many stations do not have wide enough access for people with limited mobility (PLM). As a result, accessibility remains a major problem in the Paris subway system.
A symbol of the Paris Metro, inaugurated in the 1970s
These metal turnstiles were unveiled in the 1970s. They were later immortalized on December 5, 1980, by Jacques Chirac himself.
Since then, they have become a common sight at Parisian train stations. However, their age is beginning to take a toll on their reliability and ease of use.
“Less congestion and optimized traffic flow, in addition to greater comfort.” — RATP
Glass doors to replace the old turnstiles
In the spring of 2023, Jean Castex, president of the RATP, described these access points as a “nightmare” in the run-up to the Olympics. Since then, he has expressed his desire to accelerate the transformation.
The chosen solution features much smoother-opening glass doors. According to the RATP, they will help reduce congestion and improve passenger comfort on the Paris Metro.
This is a large-scale project. The transit authority plans to replace 450 entrances at about 50 stations by 2029—that is, about 30 more than the stations that have already been equipped.
- Strasbourg-Saint-Denis: Among the First Stations Affected
- Antwerp: Construction Has Already Begun
- Plaisance: included in the initial construction schedule
- Arcueil-Cachan: also scheduled for the first wave
- Gare de Lyon: Affects access points for Line 1
The resorts that had already been modernized before the Olympics
Some Parisian stations have already been equipped with these new turnstiles. This is the case at Montparnasse, Trocadéro, and Porte de Saint-Cloud, where about 50 turnstiles were replaced before the Olympic Games.
In addition, all new Grand Paris Express stations are now automatically equipped with the new entrances. This standard is thus becoming the norm for new stations on the Île-de-France network.
A gradual transformation affecting more than 300 stations
A complete overhaul will take time. In fact, there are more than 300 stations in the Paris metro system that still need to be modernized.
This project is being carried out jointly by the RATP and Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM). The two organizations are working together to speed up the pace of construction at the busiest stations.
In addition, following the elimination of fare zones and the introduction of a single ticket, many turnstiles located in major stations between the RER, Transilien, and metro lines are expected to be removed entirely. As a result, all transfers within the Paris transit system will be simplified.
By 2026, this extensive modernization program will be well underway. The Paris Metro is moving forward, station by station, toward a smoother and more accessible transit experience for all passengers—whether they’re traveling with a stroller, in a wheelchair, or simply in a hurry.
