Is This the World’s Most Glamorous Subway Station? Behold the Breathtaking ‘Upside-Down Skyscraper’ in Paris
In the heart of Paris, a stunning new subway station has just opened its doors, and it’s nothing short of a architectural marvel. The Villejuif-Gustave Roussy Station, located in the south of the French capital, is part of the ambitious Grand Paris Express line—a 200-kilometer-long network that promises to revolutionize urban transportation in one of the world’s most iconic cities. Designed by the renowned French studio Dominique Perrault Architecture (DPA), this futuristic hub is being hailed as one of the most visually striking subway stations in the world. With its dazzling reflective surfaces, intricate footbridges, and an innovative design that feels straight out of a sci-fi movie, this station is set to become a hotspot for travel influencers and architecture enthusiasts alike.
The Villejuif-Gustave Roussy Station is no ordinary transit hub. DPA describes it as an “emblematic station” that leaves a lasting urban and architectural legacy for the area it serves. And it’s easy to see why. The station’s design is a masterclass in innovation, featuring a unique cylindrical structure that burrows 50 meters below ground. Dubbed an “upside-down skyscraper,” the station’s inverted design is a feast for the eyes, with reflective surfaces that create a dazzling visual effect. As passengers descend into the depths of the station, they are greeted by a spectacle that feels almost magical—Hogwarts-style staircases and footbridges that crisscross the space, creating a sense of movement and energy. But what truly sets this station apart is its ability to bring the outside in. Despite its underground location, natural light floods the space, with passengers able to gaze up at the sky from the platforms below. It’s a design that blurs the line between the city above and the station below, creating a seamless transition between public spaces.
Dominique Perrault, the founder of DPA, explains the vision behind this groundbreaking design. “The Villejuif-Gustave Roussy Station aims to erase the threshold between the open public space and the closed space of the station by blurring the limits of the city,” he says. The station’s helicoidal architecture on the surface exerts a centripetal force on the urban fabric, drawing the city toward the underground space. The result is a large concrete cylinder with moulded walls, flooded with light and brought to life by the footbridges and escalators that traverse it. Here, the “sky” of this inverted skyscraper is simply the ground level of the city—natural light pours all the way down to the platforms, 50 meters below, creating a sense of openness and connection to the world above.
The Villejuif-Gustave Roussy Station is just one part of the larger Grand Paris Express project, the largest civil engineering endeavor in Europe. This ambitious project includes 68 new stations and automated lines, designed to transform the way Parisians and visitors navigate the city. Once completed, the Grand Paris Express will place 130 universities and higher learning institutions, 408 healthcare centers, and 656 cultural venues within a 10-minute walk of a station. It’s a vision of a more connected, accessible, and sustainable future for one of the world’s most beloved cities.
But the significance of the Villejuif-Gustave Roussy Station goes beyond its functional role as a transit hub. It represents a bold statement about the future of urban design and the potential for public spaces to inspire and uplift. In a city like Paris, where history and tradition are deeply woven into the fabric of everyday life, this station stands out as a beacon of modernity. Its futuristic design and innovative use of light and space challenge our expectations of what a subway station can be. Whether you’re a local commuter or a curious traveler, this station is an experience in itself—a place where the boundaries between art, architecture, and functionality blur in breathtaking ways.
In short, the Villejuif-Gustave Roussy Station is not just a subway stop; it’s a work of art, a symbol of Paris’ commitment to innovation, and a testament to the power of design to transform public spaces. As the Grand Paris Express continues to take shape, this station serves as a glimpse into the exciting future of urban transportation—a future where form and function come together to create something truly extraordinary.
