RATP and Île-de-France Mobilités Open Landmark 30-Kilometre Paris Metro Line 14 Extension to Orly Airport and Saint-Denis Pleyel

Historic North-South Backbone Transforms the Greater Paris Transit Map

PARIS, Île-de-France — In the most consequential public transportation opening in Western Europe in decades, Île-de-France Mobilités and transport operator RATP have officially inaugurated the landmark extension of Paris Metro Line 14. Expanding both north to Saint-Denis Pleyel and south directly to Aéroport d’Orly, Line 14 has officially become the longest and highest-capacity metro line in the Parisian metropolitan network, stretching roughly 30 kilometres across 21 stations.

Representing the structural spine and very first operational link of the multi-billion-euro Grand Paris Express megaproject, the fully automated underground railway connects key economic, scientific, and cultural poles across eight municipalities. End-to-end journeys between Saint-Denis Pleyel and Orly Airport take just 40 minutes, with central Paris reachable from Orly Airport in only 25 minutes from Châtelet–Les Halles, eliminating reliance on highway taxis or complex shuttle transfers.

Eight Landmark Architectural Underground Stations

The double extension adds eight monumental subterranean stations designed by world-renowned architects to handle heavy passenger volumes with abundant natural light:

• Saint-Denis Pleyel: Designed by architect Kengo Kuma, this soaring multi-level timber-and-glass transit hub will serve as the northern intersection for future Grand Paris Express Lines 15, 16, and 17.
• Maison Blanche: Crucial southern gateway connecting eastern Paris with Line 7 and Tramway T3b.
• Hôpital Bicêtre: Direct high-speed subway access to the major University Hospital healthcare complex in Le Kremlin-Bicêtre.
• L’Haÿ-les-Roses & Chevilly-Larue: Serves major residential quarters and the Marché International de Rungis, the world's largest fresh food market.
• Thiais–Orly: Direct strategic interchange with the RER C suburban rail network.
• Aéroport d’Orly: A monumental underground terminal station located directly adjacent to Terminal 3, providing immediate pedestrian access to all airport check-in desks.

Next-Generation GoA4 Driverless Trains and Unmatched Capacity

Line 14 operates with cutting-edge Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4) fully automated, driverless technology supported by Siemens Trainguard Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC). Powered by an expanded fleet of 72 eight-car Alstom MP14 rubber-tyred metro trains, the line achieves incredible peak-hour frequencies, with trains departing every 85 to 105 seconds.

Each 120-metre-long automated train accommodates over 1,000 passengers, slashing interior acoustic noise by 40 percent and cutting energy consumption by 20 percent through advanced regenerative braking systems. Full-height tempered glass platform screen doors across every station guarantee maximum passenger safety and timetable punctuality.

Decarbonizing Regional Commuting and Powering Economic Growth

Regional authorities and French national leadership emphasized that Line 14’s expansion carries over 1 million passenger journeys every weekday, diverting an estimated tens of thousands of daily automobile trips off the heavily congested A6 and A86 motorways. Fully integrated with standard Navigo travel passes, the line provides affordable, democratic rapid mobility for millions of suburban residents.

By seamlessly linking international aviation terminals at Orly Airport directly with northern innovation clusters, Saint-Denis sports stadiums, and central commercial districts, the modernized Line 14 establishes a new gold standard for European urban transit, driving sustainable regional regeneration and accelerating Île-de-France toward its ambitious climate net-zero horizons.