Collages of photos by plastic artist Catherine Bénas flow along one of the platforms of the St Germain station with images of legs running, leaping, then stopping and starting over again. There are short captions to give the viewer an idea of the soul of the person captured in the pictures, and the ensemble makes for a surprising panorama. On the opposite platform the artist has another panorama but this time made up of smaller, individual, images the combination of which make an amazingly coherent and fluid display.

At the heart of the 1st arrondissement, the 'Premiere Station' gallery is becoming an unavoidable meeting place for contemporary art. In the commercial gallery of the Palais Royal - Musee du Louvre metro station, which dates back to the 1900’s, an exhibit entitled Tension à 4 temps depicts the abstract works of 4 female graduates of the Beaux Arts (Fine Arts academy). A must see before you hop on your next train.