Métro Saint-Maur enamelled sign 120cm Cornichon
🔥 Pièce unique – 1 exemplaire disponible
This Métro Saint-Maur enamelled sign is an authentic directional sign from the RATP Paris metro network, designed to indicate the Saint-Maur station on Line 3. Measuring a generous 120 cm, it features the oval shape characteristic of ‘Cornichon’ station signs, with the rounded, domed edges typical of the 1980s. The background is painted in a bright, vibrant yellow – an iconic colour that has become synonymous with Parisian urban design. The lettering is in black Art Deco-style Gothic capital letters, legible from a distance, engraved and painted to the exacting standards required by the RATP. On either side, the words ‘Line No. 3’ frame the central text ‘RUE SAINT-MAUR’. The enamelled sheet metal features the domed surface characteristic of outdoor signs, designed to withstand the elements and retain its lustre.
This example is in impeccable condition: the enamelled sheet metal shows no chips, cracks or delamination. The lustre of the enamel is exceptional for a piece of this age, indicating that it has been kept indoors or has been optimally protected from the elements. The yellow and black colours are intact, with no discolouration or visible wear. This exceptional condition is extremely rare for an outdoor plaque exposed to Parisian urban conditions.
This Métro Saint-Maur enamelled sign is a sought-after collector’s item amongst enthusiasts of Parisian urban heritage, French graphic design, historical signage and ‘Métro-Parisien’ style interior design. Enamelled ‘Cornichon’ metro signs, particularly those measuring 120 cm and in impeccable condition, have become prized acquisitions amongst collectors worldwide seeking urban authenticity. Their rarity increases every year as stations are modernised and the old signs are removed.
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1 200 €
🔥 Pièce unique – 1 exemplaire disponible
🔥 Pièce unique – 1 exemplaire disponible
- FREE DELIVERY in 78, Paris, and 91, 92, 93, 94 and 95.
- Return within 14 days
The Paris Métro, operated by the RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens) since its creation in 1900, established over the course of the 20th century a unique and instantly recognizable visual language: the Cornichon style. This affectionate nickname refers to the distinctive bright yellow used on station direction signs, a color officially adopted in the 1960s and 1970s as the standard for urban signage. The enameled plaques, manufactured from steel sheet coated with enamel fired at high temperature, progressively replaced other signage systems, offering exceptional durability, legibility, and ease of maintenance. These signs proliferated across the facades of underground and surface stations, becoming over the decades the most visible symbols of Parisian metropolitan identity.
Since the 1980s, the decade to which this plaque belongs, the RATP has gradually replaced the old enameled signs with modern Plexiglas and LED backlit systems as part of its modernization programs. These historic Cornichon plaques, removed during successive station renovations, have largely disappeared from the Parisian urban landscape, with the remainder held in RATP museum collections or dispersed among private collectors. Today, enameled plaques in preserved condition represent significant pieces of French urban heritage and valuable witnesses to the technical and graphic history of 20th-century Parisian design.
Métro Saint-Maur enamelled sign metro station, original sign from Line 3 of the Paris Metro, 120 cm. Enamelled sheet metal from the 1980s, in the bright yellow ‘Cornichon’ colour characteristic of the RATP. In impeccable condition, with exceptional original lustre; a sign from outside the station. A rare piece of Parisian metro heritage.
Origin: FranceMaterials: Enamelled sheet metal
Year: 1980s
Condition: Impeccable
Free collection from the Coignières showroom
Have it delivered via Cocolis
Height: 47.2 in
Width: 9.8 in
Depth: 0.4 in
Weight: 17.6 lbs
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We offer free delivery in France for all items — including combined orders, if you are located in Yvelines (78), in Paris, or in the departments 91, 92, 93, 94 and 95.
For all other destinations within mainland France, your order can be delivered securely via Cocolis.
Upon receiving your order, you have 14 calendar days to return your item or report any issue.
Some selected products also benefit from free shipping within mainland France.
For full details, please visit our Shipping & Returns page.
You may also choose free collection from our showroom in Coignières.
