The Métro celebrated its centenary in 2000, since it opened on 19 July 1900, but people had been planning for its construction for about 40 years.

Debate had raged about a new transport system since the 1860's. Jules Verne - the "father" of science fiction - promoted the idea in his stories about a 20th century Paris with an efficient underground rail system. Victor Hugo, one of France's most important literary figures and an influential politician, was totally against it. Some engineers wanted to build a railway underground. Others thought that it should be built on bridges and viaducts above ground.

There were ongoing and fierce arguments about which method would cause the greatest amount of damage to properties, parks and the natural beauty of the city. In the end, the Métro combined the two ideas. While much of the railway would be underground, certain parts would be constructed above ground on viaducts.

	The picture shows how the Métro crosses the River Seine on a bridge near Bir Hakkeim station close to the Eiffel Tower.
	At Glacière, for example, on the other side of Paris, the Métro is built above the road on stilts.

Baron Edouard Empain, a Belgian engineer and business man, became the main financier. He foresaw that the construction needed to look attractive, and contracted architect Hector Guimard to design the first Métro stations and entrances in the latest Art nouveau style.

The entry opposite is the original one for the Abbesses station which is still there today. Click here for more on Métro entrances.

The construction of a network of about 65 km, across six different lines, started in 1897 under the direction of the engineer, Fulgence Bienvenüe. Many Parisians were highly sceptical. They thought that the new form of transport would be a dismal failure and no-one would use it. However, Empain and Bienvenüe were confident that the new "Métropolitain" would be a success.

The Métro opened on 19 July 1900, the first line ran from the station called Porte de Vincennes to Porte Maillot (now known as line number 1). Its opening went almost unnoticed as it coincided with the World Expo.

However, after one year, Empain and Bienvenüe were vindicated (proved correct) as an amazing 50 million passengers had already travelled on the new transport system! Fulgence Bienvenüe is often called "The Father of the Métro".

The original carriages for the Métro were made of wood and had wooden seats. The windows had to be opened to let in the air. Unfortunately, this also let in lots of dirt as well. The trains were very uncomfortable and noisy but their speed was a great advantage for travellers. You can still ride in one of these old trains if you visit Paris during September.

Each year, on Heritage Day in France, the Métro system runs some of its old trains.

In spite of their lack of comfort, people queue to use these trains and re-live a bit of history. They are classified as "monuments historiques".

When you use the Métro, see if you can spot the station named after its first director, "Bienvenuë".