Bel-Air (Paris Métro)

Bel-Air ([bɛl‿ɛʁ]) is a station on line 6 of the Paris Métro in the 12th arrondissement. The station is located in the Boulevard de Picpus, between the districts of Picpus and Bel-Air.

Bel-Air
Paris Métro station
Location	12th arrondissement of Paris Île-de-France France
Coordinates	48°50′29″N 2°24′03″E
Owned by	RATP
Operated by	RATP
Other information
Fare zone	1
History
Opened	1 March 1909 (1909-03)
Services
Preceding station   Paris Métro   Following station Daumesnil toward Charles de Gaulle–Étoile Picpus toward Nation
Location
Bel-Air Location within Paris

The station is in the open air at ground level, but the lines are underground to the north and to the south: the trains ascend to the surface before the station to descend when leaving it. This layout was required to clear the railway that connected the former station of Paris Bastille (near Bastille station) to the valley of the Marne, via the former station of Reuilly near Bel-Air. This line was diverted to become part of RER line A in 1969. The single entrance to the station leads to the back of trains from Nation, and to the front of trains from Charles de Gaulle - Étoile.

History

The station was opened on 1 March 1909 with the extension of the line from Place d'Italie to Nation. The station was closed during World War II and remained closed for a prolonged period, not reopening until January 7, 1963. It is named after the Bel-Air district.

Places of interest

A view of the Promenade Plantée, looking west

The old railway to Paris Bastille has been converted since the 1990s into the Promenade Plantée — a 4.5 km long elevated garden connecting to the Bastille to the Porte de Saint-Mandé. Cycling and rollerskating is allowed on this section.

The Rothschild Hospital is in the immediate vicinity and the Armand Trousseau Hospital for children is further off.

Gallery

• 
  Line 6 platforms (view towards Nation)
• 
  Line 6 platforms (view towards Charles de Gaulle — Étoile)

Station layout

Street Level

B1	Mezzanine for platform connection

Platform level	Side platform, doors will open on the right
	toward Charles de Gaulle – Étoile	← toward Charles de Gaulle – Étoile (Daumesnil)
	toward Nation	→ toward Nation (Picpus) →
	Side platform, doors will open on the right

References

• Roland, Gérard (2003). Stations de métro. D’Abbesses à Wagram. Éditions Bonneton.