Édicule Guimard of the Porte Dauphine station

Porte Dauphine is a Paris Station De Métro landmark located in the 16 arrondissement.

La Libellule: the last survivor of Guimard’s dragonfly vision

At the Porte Dauphine station in the elegant 16th arrondissement, the last original Type B édicule designed by Hector Guimard stands as one of Paris’s most precious Art Nouveau treasures. Nicknamed “La Libellule” (The Dragonfly) for its distinctive fan-shaped glass roof and organic form, this extraordinary Metro entrance represents the sole surviving example of Guimard’s most elaborate station design, preserving the complete vision of Belle Époque innovation that transformed mundane transportation infrastructure into sculptural art.

Guimard’s dragonfly inspiration and natural forms

Built for the December 13, 1900 inauguration of Line 2’s western terminus, the Porte Dauphine édicule exemplifies Guimard’s Type B design—the most sophisticated of his Metro entrance creations. The three-sided glass-roofed structure with its projecting canopy and rounded, dynamic form earned its dragonfly nickname through the way its fan-shaped glass roof resembles the delicate wings of the insect that became one of Art Nouveau’s defining motifs.

Guimard’s inspiration from nature transformed industrial materials—cast iron structure, stone substructures, enameled lava panels, and glass roofs—into organic forms that seemed to grow naturally from Parisian sidewalks. This biomimetic approach represented Art Nouveau’s core belief that modern design should draw inspiration from natural forms rather than historical architectural styles.

Sole survivor of Type B magnificence

Of the ten original Type B édicules built on Lines 1 and 2 during the 1900s, only two survived the 20th century’s modernization pressures: Porte Dauphine in its original location with complete wall panels, and Abbesses (moved from Hôtel de Ville in 1974). This makes the Porte Dauphine station irreplaceable as the only Type B édicule preserved in its intended setting with all original elements intact.

The édicule’s survival required dedicated preservation efforts, including Historic Monument designation on May 29, 1978, and complete restoration in October 1999 for the Paris Métropolitain’s centenary celebrations. These interventions ensured that future generations could experience Guimard’s most ambitious Metro design as originally conceived.

Art Nouveau revolution in public design

The Porte Dauphine édicule represents Guimard’s revolutionary challenge to Haussmannian architectural uniformity, where Art Nouveau’s organic forms and natural inspiration created entirely new visual language for public infrastructure. The entrance demonstrates how great artists can transform utilitarian urban elements into beloved cultural landmarks that define city identity.

Guimard’s use of mass-produced materials proved that industrial methods could serve artistic expression, creating designs that were both economically practical and aesthetically revolutionary. This approach influenced public design throughout Europe and established principles for integrating art into everyday urban experience.

Living Art Nouveau in elegant surroundings

The édicule’s location in the sophisticated 16th arrondissement creates perfect harmony between Guimard’s artistic innovation and the neighborhood’s refined character. Near the Bois de Boulogne and prestigious residential areas, the entrance serves both practical transportation needs and aesthetic appreciation for visitors exploring one of Paris’s most elegant districts.

The continued function as an active Metro entrance ensures that Guimard’s artistic vision remains integrated into daily Parisian life rather than preserved as static museum piece, allowing contemporary users to experience Art Nouveau as it was intended—enhancing everyday urban experiences through beautiful design.

Essential information

• Designer: Hector Guimard
• Inauguration: December 13, 1900
• Type: Type B édicule (most elaborate design)
• Nickname: “La Libellule” (The Dragonfly)
• Distinction: Last original Type B édicule in original location
• Heritage status: Historic Monument (May 29, 1978)
• Restoration: October 1999 (centenary celebration)
• Location: Porte Dauphine station, 16th arrondissement

Art Nouveau features

• Design elements: Fan-shaped glass roof, three-sided enclosure, projecting canopy
• Materials: Cast iron, stone, enameled lava panels, glass
• Organic inspiration: Dragonfly wing structure, natural forms
• Rarity: One of only two surviving Type B édicules worldwide
• Cultural significance: Symbol of Art Nouveau public design revolution

Art Nouveau legacy in the City of Light

The Édicule Guimard of the Porte Dauphine station embodies the irreplaceable heritage of Belle Époque artistic innovation, where Hector Guimard’s dragonfly-inspired design continues to welcome Parisians and visitors into the underground with the same organic grace that revolutionized public architecture over a century ago. This extraordinary survivor proves how great art can transform the most utilitarian urban infrastructure into beloved cultural treasures that define city identity. For Art Nouveau enthusiasts, architectural pilgrims, or anyone seeking to understand how artistic vision shapes urban experience, La Libellule offers the ultimate encounter with Guimard’s revolutionary aesthetic, where every curve and detail preserves the Belle Époque’s belief that beauty should enhance every aspect of daily life through design that honors both natural inspiration and human creativity.