Paris Métro Line 1 Opens

Paris inaugurated its Métro on September 20, 1900, with Line 1 running from Porte de Vincennes to Porte Maillot. Designed by Fulgence Bienvenüe, the system addressed traffic congestion ahead of the 1900 World's Fair. It used electric traction with innovative deep-level tunnels and Art Nouveau entrances by Hector Guimard. The line featured 8-car trains and carried over 100,000 passengers on opening day. This event established Paris as a leader in subway engineering, influencing global metro designs with its efficient routing and aesthetic integration into the cityscape. It connected key districts and supported industrial and cultural growth in early 20th-century France.