Bastille (Paris Métro)

The station has nine accesses from Place de la Bastille:

• Boulevard Henri-IV;
• Boulevard Bourdon;
• Rue de Lyon;
• Boulevard de la Bastille;
• Opera Bastille;
• Jardin du Port-de-l'Arsenal;
• Hospital Quinze-Vingts;
• Rue de la Roquette;
• Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine.

The access leading to the Rue de Lyon was decorated with a Hector Guimard designed entrance registered as a historic monument on 29 May 1978. However, it was later moved to a metro station Boulevard Beaumarchais.

The stations of the lines meeting at Bastille all have side platforms.

The station belonging to Line 1 are very particular for several reasons; the station of this line is established on a very tight curve and counter curve, partly underground and part above ground. The western end of the line 1 platforms have the sharpest curve used by passenger trains on the Métro, with a radius of only 40 metres (131 ft).[2] The line 1 platforms, at 123 metres (404 ft) long, are significantly longer than the average Métro platform length. The latter part overlooks the Canal Saint-Martin that, at this point, passes from being underground to open air. The Line 1 station is also particular in that the remnants of a former narrow island platform are visible. The station is also noted for being the only station in the system for being partially underground and elevated. Finally, the tracks and platforms are partly sloped. The ceiling of the east end, which is underground, consists of a metal deck, the silver beams are supported by vertical walls. The decoration of these walls and spandrels is "cultural" evoking the French Revolution thanks to a unique ceramics created by Liliane Belembert and Odile Jacquot in May 1989. Part of this fresco was replaced by a plastic display on automation of the line on the occasion of this operation (in the platforms towards La Défense). The open-air part of the platform towards Château de Vincennes has floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the Saint-Martin canal opening onto the port of Arsenal. Bevelled white ceramic tiles cover only the outlets of the corridors. The name of the station is written in Parisine typeface on enamelled plates. The platforms, equipped with glass edge doors, are devoid of advertisements and seats.

The platforms of Line 5 are underground and have an elliptical vault. The decoration is the style used for the majority of metro stations. The lighting strips are white and rounded in the Gaudin style of l'Operation Espace Métro 2000, and the white ceramic tiles are covered the walls, the vault, the spandrels and the outlets of the corridors. The advertising frames are of white ceramics and the name of the station is written in Parisine typeface on enamelled plates. The seats, style Akiko, are burgundy. Foundations of one of the counterscarp walls of the old Bastille prison, discovered during the construction of the line in 1905, are visible on the platform in the direction of Bobigny-Pablo Picasso. Metal lines drawn on the ground mark the contours of the building on the two platforms. The station also exhibits various views of the ancient fortress.

The platforms of Line 8 are also underground under an elliptical vault. They are furnished in the Andreu-Motte style with two orange luminous ramps, benches and outlets in the corridors treated with flat brown tiles and Motte orange seats. These arrangements are married with the flat white ceramic tiles that cover the walls, vault and spandrels, making this station one of the few to have the Andreu-Motte preserved style. Advertising frames are metallic and the name of the station is Parisine typeface on enamelled plates. The station is distinguished however by the lower part of its walls which are vertical and not elliptical.

The station is served by lines 29, 69, 76, 86, 87 and 91 of the RATP Bus Network as well as the OpenTour tourist line. At night, it is served by lines N01, N02, N11, N16 and N144 of the Noctilien bus network.