Why are the tiles of the Paris metro white?

Every week, Parigo Express answers questions from Internet users. Today, Ornella wonders how far the Paris metro goes.

To understand this singular aesthetic choice specific to the Parisian metro, we must return to its origins and the inauguration of the very first metro line, in 1900, on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition.

At the time, electricity was only in its infancy, the metro corridors were particularly dark and it was to diffuse the light that we chose these small ecru tiles, slightly darker than our current walls. . In addition, these tiles are easily cleanable, which reassures Parisians afraid of moving underground like “Sewer Rats” to get around Paris.

Very quickly, subway tiles became wildly successful, so much so that they can now be found in bars, brasseries and bathrooms all over the world. An Alsatian chocolate factory even reproduces them in chocolate bars.

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