The Paris métro is by far the best subway system I have encountered to date. Not only because the lines diagonally cross the city- making travel more efficient, but also because the métro stations in Paris are pristine in comparison to many others. And you can depend on them. Other than the occassional stirke- they are spot on with their schedule.
I have written before about the how to use the Paris Metro and even offered up some of my own Métro photos.
But one of the other things I love so much about the Métro are the themed stations. Each station has a different theme. And while I certainly have not set foot in all 200 plus of them, I have visited my fair share.
My favorite so far, also happens to be the deepest. The Abbesses station in Montmartre.
Featured in and made famous by the movie, Amélie, it has a spiral staircase that takes you down- all 118 feet – to the platform. Though you can take an elevator, you'd seriously be missing out by NOT taking the stairs, where the walls are decorated with painted murals and grafitti all the way down.
The Abbesses station also houses one of the only two remaining original Guimard Art Nouveau entrances.
So, next time you're in Montmartre hop the Métro from the Abbesses station into the city center. For a view and a grueling walk up that spiral staircase, you and your burning thighs, soon won't forget!