28 6. RIVER STEAMBOATS. Preliminary
3. Metropolitain. This new electric railway begun in 1898,
which runs mostly underground, now takes precedence of all other
modes of locomotion in the interior of the city. It traverses the
centre of the city from E. to W. and also describes a semicircle round
the Northern Boulevards, and is to be continued eventually on the
left bank of the Seine (see below). The sections now (July 1904)
open for traffic extend from the Cours de Vincennes (PL R, 34) to
the Porte Maillot (PL B, 9; p. 230), with branches from the Place
de I'Etoile (PL B, 12) to the Quai de Passy (PL R, 8; 7) and the Porte
Dauphine (PI. R, 6; p. 230); then from the Etoile to the Place de
la Nation (PI. R, 31), by the N. boulevards. This latter section is
called the Ligne Circulaire Nord, ■ or N. circle, and its length, from
the Porte Dauphine to the Place de la Nation, is nearly 8 M. The
stations are below the level of the streets, like those of the 'Tube'
railway in London, but not so deep (no lift), and the atmosphere is
similarly oppressive to susceptible people. Trains run every 3-4
minutes. — Routes and list of stations, see Appendix, p. 36.
The Ligne Circulaire Sud (14 M. in length), on the left bank, will extend
from the Quai de Passy (PI. R, 8) to the Place d'ltalie (PI. G, 23) and
the Pont d'Austerlitz (PI. G, 25), crossing the Seine at the Pont de Passy
(PI. R, 8) by a viaduct. Another viaduct will be constructed at the Pont
d'Austerlitz, and a third at the Pont de Bercy (PI. G, 28; line from Vin¬
cennes to the Place d'ltalie). These viaducts will not be completed for
two years at least, hut the remainder of the route will probably be finished
in 1904. — Other projected lines, see Appx., p. 38.
4. River Steamboats. The Bateaux- Omnibus, or small screw
steamers, which ply on the Seine (subject to interruption by the state
of the river, fog, ice, etc.), are recommended to the notice of the
traveller in fine weather, as they move quickly and afford a good
view of the quays and banks of the river.
There are three different services: (1) From Charenton to Auteuil,
by the left bank of the river within Paris; (2) From the Pont d'Auster¬
litz to Auteuil, by the right bank; (3) From the Pont-Royal to
Suresnes, also by the right bank. The steamboats for Suresnes may
be recognized by their larger size. In these the fares for the whole
or any part of the distance are the same. The station are marked
on our large Plan of Paris; the signs • and © indicate respectively
the Charenton-Auteuil and the Pont d'Austerlitz-Auteuil lines,
which have recently been changed; O indicates the Pont Royal-
Suresnes line. Comp. the Appendix, p. 40. Each station has two
piers; one, up-stream, for the steamers going up, and one, down¬
stream, for steamers coming down. — On Sun. and holidays there is
a special service between St. Cloud and Suresnes (fare 25 c).
Metal tickets (jetons) are taken on board and given up on dis¬
embarking. Fares: from Charenton to Auteuil 10 c, on Sun. and
holidays 20 c.; Pont d'Austerlitz to Auteuil 10 and 20 c.; Pont-Royal
to Suresnes 20 and 40 c.
The boats ply from 6 or 7a.m. to 6 or 9 p.m., according to the seasons,
at intervals regulated by the needs of the service.
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