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Cultural Venues Around Paris Replacing Metro Station Names | How to Make Travel More Meaningful
For visitors coming to Paris, using public transportation, especially the metro, can turn into a genuine “brainstorming” experience. To help them better orient themselves, a young geographer named Lucas Destrem created a special Paris metro map, replacing the names of metro stations with the names of nearby cultural venues.
Originally, Lucas designed this map at the end of 2019 for his brother, who had just moved to Paris to study. At that time, the global pandemic was breaking out, and lockdown measures were being implemented worldwide. Lucas decided to continue his project during this period to pay tribute to the cultural sector, which was severely affected by the pandemic (see his tweet below).
After hours of research, Lucas renamed 500 metro stations, RER stations, suburban train stations, and even tram stations, with new names corresponding to nearby museums, historical sites, parks, libraries, or theaters.
These include numerous venues such as the Cartier Foundation, Gobelins School, the iconic Palais Garnier opera house, and the Théâtre du Châtelet, which make Paris one of the most visited cities in the world.
This is a beautiful project that has garnered widespread attention since its launch. We recently came across this project again and wanted to share more information with you. You can visit Lucas Destrem‘s official website to learn more.
Paris Map with Renamed Metro Stations
Cultural venues near Paris replace the names of metro stations Metro map Credit Lucas Destrem
Cultural venues near Paris replace the names of metro stations Metro map Credit Lucas Destrem
Cultural venues near Paris replace the names of metro stations Metro map Credit Lucas Destrem
Cultural venues near Paris replace the names of metro stations Metro map Credit Lucas Destrem
Leading Families Through a Cultural Map—How to Make Travel More Meaningful
Imagine strolling through Paris with your family, where you see not just dull station names but landmarks rich in history and culture: museums, theaters, parks… This journey is not just about reaching a destination; it’s a family cultural adventure. By observing the attractions around you, you not only gain new knowledge but also discover historical treasures hidden in the city’s corners. This reminds me of an educational concept—how small changes in daily life can spark children’s interest in culture, history, and art.
- Connecting Daily Life with Culture
As parents, we often seek good learning resources and cultural activities for our children but overlook the small details around us. In fact, riding the metro, taking a bus, or walking can be opportunities for cultural education. For example, when walking through a neighborhood, take a moment to introduce your children to the local history, famous buildings, or artists. This approach is not only lively and interesting but also cultivates children’s habit of observing the world around them. - Encouraging Exploration and Discovery
If we view “travel” as a knowledge adventure rather than just a means of transportation, it can greatly change children’s growth. When they see an interesting name at a metro station, encourage them to research the story behind it. Each landmark and building carries countless historical and cultural stories. Instead of boring them with textbook knowledge, let them experience firsthand and find answers through their exploration. Children will feel a sense of achievement in these discoveries, becoming more curious and eager to learn. - Making Learning Interactive and Fun
Learning shouldn’t be confined to classrooms or textbooks; interaction and experience are key to sparking children’s interest. Parents can create a family “cultural map” project, just like young geographers do. Choose a frequently visited place, mark the cultural sites nearby, and explore them together. In this process, you not only introduce them to new locations but also convey respect and love for culture. - Using Technology to Bring Culture Closer
Technology plays an important role in today’s society, and parents can use mobile apps or online resources to explore the historical and cultural backgrounds of each place. This is not only convenient but can also direct children’s attention to meaningful explorations. Through these resources, parents can “unlock” the cultural treasures in the city together with their children, transforming metro stations and historical sites into rich educational experiences. - Planting the Seeds of Culture in Children
Just as family outings can be cultural explorations, every decision made in daily life can become a learning opportunity. By planting the seeds of culture in children’s hearts, they will develop a broader understanding of the world and deeper feelings. Whether visiting museums, appreciating artworks, or simply walking, the power of culture will unconsciously influence their thinking and worldview.
As parents, we have the responsibility to guide children in discovering beauty and knowledge in life. By integrating culture into daily life and travel, we not only make learning more enjoyable for children but also build shared cultural memories within the family. These memories will accompany them throughout their lives, becoming an essential part of their understanding of the world.
So, the next time you travel with your family, take a moment to appreciate those seemingly ordinary places—you might discover incredible stories hidden behind the names of metro stations. Explore with your children and let culture become part of your family life!
What is a “True Journey”?—Inspiration from Family Travel to Spiritual Education
On our life’s journey, what constitutes a true journey? Is it the changing scenery or the growth of the spirit? We often ponder how to turn the footprints we leave behind with our children into lasting impressions in their lives. The French thinker Montaigne once said, “The meaning of travel is not to find new lands but to have new eyes.” This quote reminds us that true travel is not just about seeing distant mountains and rivers but about allowing ourselves and our children to view the world with fresh perspectives, uncovering the wisdom hidden in everyday life.
- “Why do we learn?”—Reflections from Ancient Greece to Modern Times
As we walk our children across bridges, museums, or ancient buildings, we might recall the famous quote from the Greek philosopher Socrates: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Through continuous questioning, he inspired his students to think for themselves. This teaching method is not just applicable to philosophical classrooms; it can also become part of our daily dialogues with children. We can ask them, “Do you know what story lies behind this bridge? How does this building relate to life today?” Through these questions, we not only impart knowledge but also cultivate their curiosity about life.
However, questions do not always need clear answers. As Socrates demonstrated, sometimes the questions themselves are more important than the answers because they provoke new thoughts and explorations of the world.
- “How do we converse with the past?”—Reflections from the Renaissance to Today
Every trip is a dialogue with the past. The Italian Renaissance master Michelangelo once said, “Every block of stone has a statue inside it, and it is my job to discover it.” This mirrors the process we explore with children during family travels. Every seemingly ordinary place, every historical site, is like an unfinished sculpture waiting for us to uncover its true form.
We might ask children to think, “What people lived behind this ancient city wall? How do their dreams differ from ours?” This inquiry into the past helps children understand that history is not just words in books; it exists all around us, in every stone shaped by time.
- “How do we define success?”—Finding Answers in Confucian Teachings
Confucius once said, “Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.” This teaches us that the true meaning of learning lies in combining thought and practice. As parents, we often wish for our children to succeed academically, but should we not also encourage them to experience and feel the world beyond the classroom?
Family travel is a perfect opportunity. After visiting an art gallery or historical site, we can discuss with our children, “What did you learn from this? How do these stories relate to your life today?” Through such discussions, children will realize that success is not just about grades in exams but also about the ability to understand and think deeply about the world.
- “How do we face setbacks and uncertainties?”—From Kafka’s Metaphors to Family Life
Modern writer Kafka often expressed human anxiety about uncertainty through metaphor in his works. In family travel, we frequently encounter various surprises and challenges. Whether it’s missing a metro or taking a wrong turn, these “small setbacks” are actually opportunities for children to learn how to deal with uncertainty.
In these moments, we can tell our children, “Every wrong path may lead to unexpected discoveries.” Kafka, though known for his obscure style, also teaches us that uncertainty and challenges are often the norms of life. Our responses in these moments will shape our mindset and future choices.
- “How do we perceive time and memory?”—From Proust’s In Search of Lost Time to Family Treasures
French writer Proust explored the complex relationship between time and memory in his masterpiece In Search of Lost Time. Every journey with our children becomes a part of our family memories. These seemingly simple moments, like Proust’s madeleine, may evoke deep recollections of their childhood in the future.
“What will you remember from today’s trip?” This is a thought-provoking question. Children may recall the towering church or simply the steaming bowl of soup they had at a roadside shop. Regardless of the memory, each will become an indispensable part of their lives. Time may pass, but the emotions and memories accumulated during family travels will always remain in their hearts, serving as a source of strength for their growth.
Travel is a Dialogue of the Soul
Family travel is not merely sightseeing or entertainment; it is a profound dialogue about life, time, culture, and education. As philosophers teach us, what truly matters is not the places we reach but how we discover ourselves, understand the world, and convey this knowledge to our children along the journey.
When we treat every trip with care and ask meaningful questions, we will find that each journey is an educational adventure of the soul. As writer Emerson said, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” Each family moment is a unique landscape we share with our children.
