République

République is one of the great crossroads of Paris - five Métro lines and a vast square dominated by the Marianne statue, the bronze symbol of the French Republic installed in 1883. The square became internationally known during the 2015 demonstrations following the Charlie Hebdo and Bataclan attacks, when hundreds of thousands gathered here. It remains the traditional focal point of Parisian civic life and political expression.

Canal Saint-Martin, one of the most photogenic and authentic corners of Paris, begins its northern reach just minutes from here - iron footbridges, tree-lined banks, independent cafes and a creative neighbourhood that attracted artists and craftspeople from the 1990s onward.

Station Overview

Zone 1. Lines 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11 - five lines making this one of Paris's most important interchanges.

Travel Tips

• Canal Saint-Martin starts 5 minutes walk north - follow Rue du Faubourg du Temple toward the first canal bridge
• The 11th arrondissement east of the station has the highest concentration of excellent independent restaurants in Paris
• Marché des Enfants Rouges (Paris's oldest covered market, 1615) is 10 minutes walk south-east on Rue de Bretagne - open Tuesday through Sunday

Nearby Attractions

Canal Saint-Martin - 5 minutes walk north. One of Paris's most authentic residential and dining neighbourhoods, with the canal's iron bridges and tree-lined towpaths.

Marché des Enfants Rouges - 10 minutes walk south. Paris's oldest covered market (1615) with excellent street food stalls from Morocco, Japan, Antilles and France.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Standard Métro hours. The canal area is best on Sunday afternoons when local residents fill the cafes and towpath. The 11th arrondissement restaurants are busiest Thursday to Saturday evenings.