Place des Fêtes Metro station is one of the deepest stations on the Metro system, at a depth of 22.5 metres. Construction was complicated as the location had the remains of former gypsum mines. It has the longest escalators on the network. It was opened in 1911 as part of line 7 although this was later separated into a separate line (7 bis).
Due to its depth, part of the station was converted into an air-raid shelter in 1935. In a special Sub Brit visit in 2008, we were able to see the remains of ventilation equipment and air-tight doors from this period. We also had access to the former lift shaft and stairs.