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Metro: a historic launch for line 18 is coming soon!

undefined undefined 27 janvier 2026 undefined 07h30

The Editor

© SGP / Gérard Rollando

If line 15 of the Grand Paris Express was supposed to come to life in 2022, it turns out that it's line 18 that will kick things off for the Society of Great Projects, and that's just a few months away! This opening is highly anticipated by many, like a little slice of salvation, and it could truly revolutionize transportation in the Île-de-France region.

Announced as a major new axis in terms of transport in the Île-de-France region, Line 18, in its lovely mint green or icy blue color (which somewhat sneakily resembles that of Line 6), will open its doors by 2030. However, a first section is set to be operational a bit earlier, starting in October next year! Stretching across 3 different departments, it will provide a new means of transport in the southwest of the capital, and we have little doubt that it will quickly become indispensable.


From the castle to the airport, an all-terrain line

With a length of 35.2 km (including 14 km above ground), passing through 13 municipalities and featuring 10 stations, the future new line of the Île-de-France Mobilité network will connect Versailles-Chantiers station to Orly Airport. A new exceptional route, that...will connect in less than 30 minutes the most famous of the French castles to the airport in the south of the capital. And when we see the success of Line 14 since it joined Orly, we can't help but think that the project can only be a success.

The new line, which will be opened in 3 separate parts, will provide a number of new connections with other major lines, like line 14 and the RER B and C. Overall, thanks to this new line, the daily lives of over 110,000 residents will be transformed, and for the better, we hope! Not only will it serve Orly Airport and the Massy station, but it will also stop at major activity hubs in the region, such as Paris-Saclay University, the Orly-Rungis area, and the CEA in Saclay.


A long-awaited opening

In addition to its practical side, which gives it some notable advantages, we are eager to proclaim line 18 the best of the new lines, simply because it...

There's a good reason that if the opening of lines 15, 16, AND 17 keeps getting delayed, the little last one should stick to the announced deadlines since the beginning of its construction. Even better, it will be the first to welcome travelers, starting in autumn 2026. This opening is going to be historic, as it’s the first time in 30 years that a new fully automated and 100% accessible metro line, moving at a speed of 110 km/h, will be put into service. And even though this news makes us happy, we still hope that the company for major projects will really step it up for the other lines !