The trams are back in Paris!

There used to be trams in Paris. From 1855 to 1938 there was an extensive tramway network. Originally horse-powered, trams later used steam, pneumatic engines and at last electricity. They largely preceded the metro which started in 1900.

There have been some tram services reopened in the suburbs the last decade, but Paris ”intra-muros” got a first new modern type of tram service only in December last year.

The metro does not propose any around-Paris-circle line, like e.g. London. This was previously offered by a train service, the so called “Petite Ceinture” (=small belt?), which also connected with the major long distance railway stations. The “Petite Ceinture” started in 1854 and more or less stopped service in 1934, meaning that it was in operation during the same period as the trams. When it was closed, buses replaced and offered the transport around Paris, slowed down by traffic jams.

I may revert to the “Petite Ceinture” one of these days, but today I will just mention that the railway tracks basically followed the Paris border. The Paris border is today rather represented by the ring road, the “Périphérique”, built in the 60’s and 70’s. Just inside the “Périphérique”, you have large avenues also surrounding Paris, going under the name of the “Boulevards des Maréchaux”.The new Paris tramway will follow these boulevards and separate grass covered tracks are constructed to be used for trams only. For the moment only the southern part of the circle is ready, but there is a decision to continue the line until Porte de la Chapelle, possibly Porte d’Asnières (see map). It will take years and create a lot of disturbance during the construction and there will still be a missing piece in the west of Paris.

I tried the new trams this weekend. Very comfortable, silent - and also fast; they have absolute priority over all other traffic. The boulevards are quite empty, it was Sunday afternoon.