“Gallieni,” a name echoing through Parisian history. This is Place Gallieni. It is more than just a metro stop. It is a place steeped in history. We’ll uncover its secrets today.
The Gallieni station is the eastern terminus of Paris Métro Line 3. It sits in Bagnolet. The station is located beneath the former Paris-Gallieni International Bus Station. This station was at the heart of a motorway complex. It was the junction of the A3 autoroute and the Boulevard Périphérique.
Let’s step back in time. The Gallieni station opened on April 2, 1971. This extension from Gambetta improved service to Bagnolet. Gallieni replaced Porte des Lilas as the eastern terminus. The section between Porte des Lilas and Gambetta became Line 3 bis.
But who was Gallieni? The station owes its name to Avenue Gallieni in Bagnolet. This avenue honors Joseph Gallieni. He was a French soldier. Gallieni played a vital role in Madagascar. He later served in World War I. He helped save Paris during the First Battle of the Marne in 1914. In 1921, he was posthumously made a Marshal of France.
The station has another name. It is also known as Parc de Bagnolet. This is because of its proximity to Parc Jean-Moulin-Les Guilands. This park is shared by Bagnolet and Montreuil.
Look around. You’ll notice the station’s unique design. Gallieni has four tracks. These tracks frame two island platforms. Trains arrive on the central tracks. They depart from the central north and north side tracks. The south side track serves as a train depot.
The station’s decor is typical of the 1970s. Walls have beige ceramic tiles. Pillars are white. The upper part of the pillars is coated and painted white. The station shares this design with Porte de Bagnolet on Line 3 and Kléber on Line 6. Advertising frames are metallic. The station name is in Helvetica font. This is unlike the usual Parisine typography. Only Place d’Italie on Line 6 and Porte de Versailles on Line 12 share this peculiarity. The Motte style seats are yellow.
Gallieni station has two entrances. Entrance 1 serves the Shopping Center. It has a fixed staircase marked with a yellow “M.” This entrance is near the Bel Est commercial center. Entrance 2 serves the RATP Bus Station. It has a fixed staircase and an escalator for exits.
The Paris-Gallieni International Bus Station was directly linked to the metro. A connecting corridor provided easy access. Sadly, the bus station closed in 2020 after its operator went into liquidation.
Nearby, you’ll find the Bel Est shopping center. You’ll also see the Parc de Bagnolet. Other points of interest include the Gallieni 2 business center and the Tours Mercuriales.
Looking ahead, there’s talk of a téléphérique. This cable car would connect Gallieni to the La Noue district.
Gallieni station has seen millions of travelers. In 2019, almost six million passengers entered here. Even during the 2020 Covid-19 crisis, nearly three million used the station. By 2021, numbers were rising again. Almost four million passengers passed through Gallieni.
Place Gallieni is more than just a transport hub. It is a crossroads of history and modernity. It is a place where the echoes of General Gallieni’s heroism meet the daily lives of Parisians. As you continue your journey, remember the layers of history beneath your feet. Remember the story of Gallieni.