Bir-Hakeim (Paris Métro)

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Bir-Hakeim

Date opened

1906

Accesses

Municipality/
Arrondissement

Paris 15e

Fare zone

Next stations

Paris Métro Line 6
Direction Charles de Gaulle-Étoile	Direction Nation
Passy	Dupleix

List of stations of the Paris Métro

Bir-Hakeim is an elevated station of the Paris Métro and is situated on the left bank of the Bir-Hakeim bridge over the Seine, which is classified as a historic monument.

[edit] History

The station was called Quai de la Grenelle until 1949, when it was renamed to commemorate the Battle of Bir Hakeim. A commemorative panel is situated at the entrance of the platform for trains traveling towards Nation.

It is the station closest to the Eiffel Tower and is thus frequented by tourists to the French capital. The signs on the station walls say "Bir-Hakeim — Tour Eiffel" to alert people to this fact.

Near the station is the site of the former Vel d'Hiv, or Winter Velodrome, which was famous for its cycling competitions but infamous as having been the first place of detention for thousands of Parisian Jews who were rounded up by the police on July 16, 1942 before their deportation to concentration camps. The velodrome was destroyed in 1960 in the course of work done on the bank of the Seine. A commemorative monument has been raised near the south side of the station, above the tracks of the RER C.