Monday, January 24, 2022

Le funiculaire

While it's still called a funicular (a type of incline railway) for historical reasons, the Funiculaire de Montmartre in Pairs is not one. A true funicular moves people up and down steep inclines using its two cars as counterbalances, connected to each other by a single cable. As one car ascends, the other descends at equal speed. The cars often share a single track (two rails), with a passing double track in the center of the line. Full double-track, or four rail, funiculars are common these days.

The upper station of the Montmartre "funicular" with the basilica of Sacré-Cœur in the background, April 2009.

The funicular in Montmartre was replaced by what's called an inclined elevator in 1991. It still looks like a four rail funicular, but Wikipedia tells me that the two cars operate independently of one another. Before that, it was a true counterbalanced funicular, but no more. I remember riding the funicular from my time in Paris in 1981-82. I've also ridden the new inclined elevator since it was installed. Before, as now, a métro ticket was required for the ride. I've even climbed up the 222 steps a time or two, but that was a long time ago.

The lower station of the Montmartre "funicular" beside the stairs (for those with strong legs), April 2009.


10 comments:

  1. Very beautiful stations. I never knew the true definition of a funicular.

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  2. That's very interesting. I wonder when it changed from being a funicular which I thought it was, to an inclinator carriage. I must investigate. Ok, you said, 1991. Bit of a shame that it is no longer the old funicular but better than walking up the steep hill.

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  3. I realized, near the end of that year in Paris, that I had never gone to Montmartre... at least not Place du Tertre and the funiculaire . So, I went, about a week or two before coming home.

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  4. Been there, done that! In 1992, impressive memories.

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  5. Thanks for sharing the definition of funicular! How far up the stair were you when you took the photo?

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  6. We walked up the hill and not beside the funicular at all. Cannot wait to be able to answer a question with a response: funicular!I will be ready!

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  7. mitch, neither did I. And I was a transit professional!

    andrew, yes, 1991, according to Wikipedia.

    judy, I never visited Alcatraz during the 17+ years I lived in San Francisco...

    jan, :)

    wilma, probably a little more than half-way. But I was going down...

    mary, that's a nice walk, if it's the route I'm thinking of.

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    Replies
    1. We wanted to see the Le lapin l'agile so now when I try to see how we must have walked, it appears we must have walked up those steps beside the funiculaire? I don't remember that, but we arrived at the Place du Tertre at last!

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  8. Beautiful shot! I love funiculars and ride them whenever I can.

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