Grands Boulevards (Paris Métro)
Grands Boulevards (), formerly named Rue Montmartre (1931–1998), is a station on Line 8 and Line 9 of the Paris Métro. In 2019, it was the 44th busiest station of the Métro network, with 6,807,424 yearly users. The section of both lines from just east of Richelieu–Drouot to west of République was built under the Grand Boulevards, partly on the border between the 2nd and 9th arrondissements, that replaced the Louis XIII wall and is in soft ground, which was once the course of the Seine. The lines are built on two levels, with Line 8  on the higher level and Line 9 in the lower level. The platforms are at the sides and the box containing the lines and supporting the road above is strengthened by a central wall between the tracks. There is no interconnection between the lines at "Grands Boulevards", with each level having different accesses to the street. History. Opening. The station was opened on 5 May 1931 with the extension of Line 8 from Richelieu–Drouot to Porte de Charenton. The Line 9 platforms were opened on 10 December 1933 with the extension of the line from Richelieu–Drouot to Porte  de Montreuil. Name change. Until 1998, the station was called "Rue Montmartre". It was renamed to reflect the programme of the former Mayor of Paris, Jean Tiberi, to upgrade the main Boulevards of Paris and because the old name suggested that the station was in the Montmartre district, misleading tourists.