Paris getting creative with 'ghost stops'
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Last week, taxi drivers caused gridlock in the streets of Paris, protesting against competition from minicabs in the city.
Driving in Paris can be tricky at the best of times, almost anarchy at the worst of times. So the 1.5 billion Parisian commuters that ride the metro every year probably have the right idea.
The Paris metro opened in 1900 and has grown to 14 different lines and over 300 stations, covering almost 130 miles of track. As is true in many cities, some of the stops are no longer in service. Paris has seven "phantom stations," many of which were closed as far back as World War II.
But these "ghost stops" could soon be resurrected – a Parisian mayoral contest may give these deserted platforms a new raison d'être.
One top candidate for mayor has suggested turning unused stops like the one in the video, which closed in 1939, into a stunning art gallery, a concert hall, a nightclub, a restaurant and even a swimming pool. Not to be outdone, another candidate proposed redeveloping old rail tracks into outdoor gardens and green areas.
While the French might be having a tough time getting their private sector moving, they remain world class at public projects. We look forward to going underground and swimming in Paris soon.
@fareedzakaria on Twitter
Cool. Hows'bout the great food?
Paris doesn't have "1.5 billion" commuters!!!!
When we think of France the country that known for it's wine and the romantic music and French language, in the late sixties and seventies there was famous song in France, and heard around the world called Je t'aime... moi non by Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin talking about their love for one another and their love for France as well. France is a place where the greatest love stories and movies are made, and people like us American tourists love to shop for the latest fashions from the latest dress's to the best suits made in Europe Being a European American who has been to France, and loves to explore the greatest shops which have the best fashions and I do support the ghost shops which will provide the greatest France foods to the latest fashions to tourists from America and the rest of the world. As Americans we love the idea of packing a suitcase and taking our closet friends, to explore the word and other cultures learn their ways and adapt towards our American culture. Without the ghost shops in Paris and in France expanding their services can we expect as American tourists, to find the latest fashions without buying online for years to come.