Gaîté (Paris Métro)

Gaîté Joséphine Baker
Paris Métro station
General information
Location	Avenue du Maine 14th arrondissement of Paris Île-de-France France
Coordinates	48°50′19″N 2°19′21″E
Owned by	RATP
Operated by	RATP
Other information
Fare zone	1
History
Opened	21 January 1937 (1937-01-21)
Services
Preceding station Paris Métro Following station Pernety towards Châtillon–Montrouge Line 13 Montparnasse–Bienvenüe towards Les Courtilles or Saint-Denis–Université
Location
Gaîté Joséphine Baker Location within Paris

Gaîté (French pronunciation: ​[ɡɛte]) is a station on line Line 13 of the Paris Métro in the 14th arrondissement.

The station opened on 21 January 1937 as part of the original line 14 between Bienvenüe and Porte de Vanves. This line became part of line 13 on 9 November 1976. The station is named after the Rue de la Gaîté, which was a country road connecting Clamart with the Barrière du Montparnasse, a gate in the Wall of the Farmers-General at the intersection of the Boulevard Edgar-Quinet and the Rue du Montparnasse (the location of Edgar Quinet station), built between 1784 and 1791 by the Ferme générale, the corporation of tax farmers, to enforce the collection of taxes of goods, including wine, imported into Paris. Guinguettes, restaurants and theatres were built outside the wall, so they could avoid these taxes. "Gaîté" is an old French spelling of "gaiety", reflecting this trade.

In 2021, the station was renamed „Gaîté - Joséphine Baker“ after American-born French dancer, singer, actress and World War II spy Joséphine Baker.

Station layout

Street Level

B1

Mezzanine

Line 13 platforms	Side platform, doors will open on the right
	Northbound	← toward Les Courtilles or Saint-Denis - Université (Montparnasse–Bienvenüe)
	Southbound	→ toward Châtillon–Montrouge (Pernety) →
	Side platform, doors will open on the right

Gallery

• 

  La guinguette, Vincent van Gogh.

References

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