The last MP73 train on the Paris metro made its final run on Line 6 after more than half a century of service. The retirement of this iconic train marks the completion of the line’s modernization; from now on, only MP89CC trains—transferred from Line 4—will operate on the line.
RATP, the operator of Paris’s public transit system, has withdrawn the last MP73 train from service on the Paris Metro network. The train, which entered service in the mid-1970s, made its final run on Line 6 after 52 years of service.
The retirement of the last MP73 marks the end of a major modernization program for Line 6, one of the most famous lines in the Paris Metro, thanks to its elevated sections and viaducts.
“It was essential for improving service quality on the line and passenger comfort,” said Benjamin Van Peteghem, director of Line 6 at RATP, referring to the modernization program.
Line 6 Will Continue to Use MP89CC Trains
Since January 2023, two types of trains have been operating in parallel on Line 6: the old MP73 trains and the MP89CC trains, transferred from Line 4.
The permanent replacement of the MP73s puts an end to a veritable “game of musical chairs” among several lines of the Paris Metro. The arrival of the MP14 trains on Line 14 allowed for the transfer of the MP89CA trains to Line 4, which is fully automated. In turn, the MP89CC trains on Line 4 were moved to Line 6, where they will now remain the only type of rolling stock in service.
Line 6 is designed for rubber-tired metro, a technology chosen due to the route’s profile, which features steep gradients, viaducts, and numerous open-air sections.
Why the MP73 Mattered
The MP73 was one of the iconic series of the Paris Metro. The trains became associated almost exclusively with Line 6, on which they operated for decades and helped shape the recognizable image of the Paris Metro.
Approximately half of Line 6’s route is elevated, and the rubber-tired metro was considered suitable for this line both for its better traction and for reducing noise and vibrations in the areas crossed by viaducts.
In the 1970s, RATP ordered 252 MP73 railcars, enough to form 50 trains. The entry into service was extremely rapid: the entire series was put into operation in July 1974.
The MP73 incorporated technical features from the previous MP59 generation but also included modifications tailored to Line 6. Among these were grooved tires, designed for better traction on steep inclines and on elevated sections exposed to the elements.
A View of Paris from the Viaducts
Over time, the MP73 has become one of the familiar sights of the Paris Metro. The sight of trains passing over the viaducts of Line 6—including in areas such as Passy or near the Eiffel Tower—has made this rolling stock synonymous not only with Line 6 but also with Paris’s international image.
The trains were easily recognizable by their compact design, the distinctive noise they made upon departure, the characteristic smell of their tires, and their manually operated doors—a technical feature that has become rare on modern metro systems.
Starting in 1996, RATP modernized the MP73 trains. The renovation included a new black front end, vandal-resistant seats, a green-themed interior, and improved fluorescent lighting.
The last trains, retired after 52 years
The decision to replace the MP73s was made in the context of the automation of Line 4 and the transfer of the MP89CC trains to Line 6. The new rolling stock was introduced gradually between 2023 and 2026.
The last two MP73 trains, numbered 6524 and 6545, left Line 6 on July 8, 2026. One of the motor cars, M.3507, is to be preserved at the RATP museum.
The retirement of the MP73 follows the withdrawal of the last MP59 in 2024 and marks yet another step in the generational shift of rolling stock on the Paris network.
For Line 6, the retirement of the MP73 signifies the end of an era spanning more than five decades. For the Paris Metro, it marks the farewell to one of the trains that have been part of the city’s visual and auditory identity.
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