Eagerly awaited by many Parisians and public transport users, the entry into service of the extension of line 14 is announced for June 2024. 8 new stations will see the light of day, including Orly Airport station, new terminus located to the south of the line. A station where we were able to discover the progress of the work as well as the future passenger route during a site visit organized on Tuesday March 5. We tell you.
Borrowed by many Ile-de-France residents and Parisians, the line 14 is about to reveal a new face. In the month of June 2024i.e. a few weeks before the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, the famous purple metro line will be extended north to Saint-Denis Pleyel, and south to Orly Airportnew terminus of line 14.
This extension of an additional 15 kilometers will mark the official launch of the Grand Paris Express. This new public transport network must in particular allow the circulation of four new automatic metro lines around Paris (lines 15, 16, 17 and 18) as well as the extension of an already existing line, namely line 14. Proof of its importance, the line 14 is considered the “ backbone of the Grand Paris Express “, according to Major Projects Company in charge of carrying out the design and the new transport network.
Thanks to this highly anticipated extension, travelers will be able to discover 8 new stationsnot the station Saint-Denis-Pleyela real crossroads of the network with planned connections with lines 14, 15, 16 and 17.
This extension of line 14 will also simplify the journey for many tourists and French people wanting to reach Orly airport. Today, travelers who love public transport have no other choice than to take the RER B then theOrlyval in order to get to Orly airport. During June 2024, it will therefore be possible to reach this airport from Paris and vice versa by taking line 14 and in just 40 minutes!
While waiting for the opening of this future Orly Airport stationannounced for the month of June 2024, we had the opportunity to discover the progress of the work during a visit of the worksite organized on Tuesday March 5, 2024, in the presence of Pierre-Emmanuel Bécherandresponsible for architecture and culture of the Société des grands Projets, Patrick Jouindesigner of Patrick Jouin ID and Ruedi Baur, graphic designer at Integral Designers. Note that this is also the station of the Grand Paris Express the most advanced in terms of equipment to date.
This visit was thus an opportunity to discover the famous travel route. Imagined in collaboration by the designer Patrick Jouin (Studio Patrick Jouin iD) and the Franco-Swiss graphic designer Ruedi Baur (Integral Designers agency), this passenger route is intended to be identical in all future stations of the Grand Paris Express. Together, the two designers have given themselves the mission of offering an experience “ more welcoming, comfortable, readable and aesthetic » by focusing in particular on furniture with clean and modular designmaterials that are easy to find in the future (steel, aluminum, concrete, stainless steel, etc.) or even a multilingual signage and large format.
If Ruedi Baur and his team designed the passenger information system as well as the graphic components “ types » to be applied on the network (pictograms, typography, colors, formats, rules for composing signage), Patrick Jouin was responsible for the design of the furniture for the passenger areas (reception point, rest furniture, elevators, control lines, ticket dispensers, platform facades, light strips). In total, 30,000 pieces of equipment will be installed in future stations in the Grand Paris Express (call terminals, seats, trash cans, fire extinguishers, etc.).
Orly Airport station, visit to the construction site and discovery of the travel route
But back to the visit. Located at the extension of the P0 car park, the Orly Airport station – designed by the architect François Tamisier – has two exits: one located near terminal 4 and the other closer to terminals 1, 2 and 3 of the airport, which are more frequented by travelers.
At a depth of approximately 20 meters, the future Orly Airport station impresses with its dimensions and large spaces. It must be said that the station will soon welcome many tourists. Once the first escalators have gone down, we discover the famous ATMs transport tickets and recharging terminals. Note that the number of vending machines is calibrated according to the morning rush hour flow for each station. To the Orly Airport stationwe have 20 terminals available.
“ These machines will be 100% accessible, particularly for users in wheelchairs by offering them front access to the controls. » it is specified in a press release published on March 5.
Other information, and not the least, the Integral Designers agency has chosen a multilingual information, with priority given to French. English and Spanish are the other two languages visible on all signage. Concerning the chosen typography, it was specially designed by Pierre Bilac and integral designer. More contemporary, “ it will be the new typography of the Ile-de-France transport network ”, also indicated Ruedi Baur during this press visit.
Opposite these vending machines are the reception points and modular sales areas. “ Each Grand Paris Express station will have at least one reception point, designed as a place of contact between users and operating staff. » it is specified. Not far from there, we see the famous gantries or control lines. For the Orly Airport station, we have 10 in total.
After passing these porticos, we take new escalators or stairs, your choice. Note that all Grand Paris Express stations will be equipped elevators. Going down, we discover the incredible and sublime fresco created by Vhils. As for all stations in the Grand Paris Express, that of Orly Airport reveals a specific work. For this one, the Portuguese artist Vhils was therefore asked to design a monumental work in azulejosthese famous traditional Portuguese ceramic tiles.
Two months of installation were necessary to Vhils to give birth to this figurative and relief work. We can see faces mixed with certain symbols of the capital, such as the unmissable Eiffel Tower. Note that this fresco, with a total length of 37 meters, will only be partially revealed at the opening of the Orly Airport station. The second half will be visible during the inauguration of line 18, expected in 2027.
Once this new level of Orly Airport station reached, we continue the visit by taking new escalators and join the docks. These are equipped with a full height facade separating the platforms from the tracks. This imposing linear window is made up of automated landing doors, as well as emergency doors.
Some finishing touches are still to be expected. But during June 2024, a headband technique a continuously display a set of information “ static and dynamic » updated in real time. Travelers will be able to find the train waiting time, the time and any disruptions. This technical headband will itself be topped with a light strip installed from one end of the platforms to the other. In addition to the aesthetic dimension, this light strip will also ensure the “ majority of dock lighting “.
On this quay of the Orly Airport stationwe also discover the rest furniture, mixing sitting and sitting-standing. For the entire Grand Paris Express, this furniture will be available in various compositions adaptable to needs and architectures. Fire extinguisher equipment was also installed, with this idea of ”flow of a river” level design.
At the level of the platforms of this Orly Airport stationwe finally see the very beautiful illustrations signed Edmond Baudouin, affixed just under the name of the station. We remind you that each station platform of the Grand Paris Express will reveal different enduring illustrations created by a multitude of artists.
In short, here is a traveler journey and a future train station Grand Paris Express that users will have the pleasure of discovering when the extension of line 14announced for the month of June 2024.
Extension of line 14: entry into service in June 2024
Considered the “backbone” of the Grand Paris Express, line 14 will soon be extended to the North and South. In June 2024, the extension of line 14 will connect Orly airport to Saint-Denis Pleyel in 40 minutes. Date of entry into service, municipalities served, new stations and stations, future connections… here is everything you need to know about the extension of this famous line 14 in Paris and Île-de-France. [Lire la suite]
During this inauguration, all stations will open, with the exception of the Villejuif – Gustave Roussy station. Due to its interconnection with future line 15, this Villejuif-Gustave Roussy station should welcome its first travelers in December 2024.