From grotty to glorious: Ghost stations of Paris could get a stunning second life

Eoghan Macguire, for CNN
Updated 7:12 AM EST, Thu February 27, 2014
A candidate in Paris' mayoral race is proposing to transform the city's disused metro stations into vibrant communal spaces.
Phantom stations reanimated —
A candidate in Paris' mayoral race is proposing to transform the city's disused metro stations into vibrant communal spaces.
Courtesy Courtesy Oxo architectes and Laisné Architecte
Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet of the UMP party has commissioned a series illustrations displaying how one of the city's so-called ghost metro stations might be transformed.
Phantom stations reanimated —
Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet of the UMP party has commissioned a series illustrations displaying how one of the city's so-called ghost metro stations might be transformed.
Courtesy Oxo architectes and Laisné Architecte
The arresting images include a swimming pool, theater, restaurant and sculpture area (pictured) in the Arsenal metro stop which has lain idle since 1939.
Phantom stations reanimated —
The arresting images include a swimming pool, theater, restaurant and sculpture area (pictured) in the Arsenal metro stop which has lain idle since 1939.
Courtesy Oxo architectes and Laisné Architecte
A proper underground scene? An artists impression of a nightclub in the Arsenal metro station in Paris.
Phantom stations reanimated —
A proper underground scene? An artists impression of a nightclub in the Arsenal metro station in Paris.
Courtesy Oxo architectes and Laisné Architecte
The mock-ups were produced by Parisian firms Oxo architectes and Laisné Architecte. If elected, Kosciusko-Morizet says she will ask Parisians for their own ideas on how to spruce up the metro stations.
Phantom stations reanimated —
The mock-ups were produced by Parisian firms Oxo architectes and Laisné Architecte. If elected, Kosciusko-Morizet says she will ask Parisians for their own ideas on how to spruce up the metro stations.
Courtesy Courtesy Oxo architectes and Laisné Architecte
There are 16 so-called ghost stations beneath the streets of Paris. Some can be found in the heart of the city, such as those at Champ de Mars and Croix Rouge.
Phantom stations reanimated —
There are 16 so-called ghost stations beneath the streets of Paris. Some can be found in the heart of the city, such as those at Champ de Mars and Croix Rouge.
FRANCK FIFE/afp/getty images
The stylish city-scene above ground at the Arsenal station, Paris.
Phantom stations reanimated —
The stylish city-scene above ground at the Arsenal station, Paris.
LOIC VENANC/afp/getty images
Reimagining Paris' ghost stations

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Story highlights

A mayoral candidate in Paris has proposed transforming the city's disused metro stations

A series of images display subterranean night clubs, swimming pools and restaurants

There are a total of 16 disused stations beneath the streets of Paris

CNN  — 

What would be the most sensible way for a city to make use of its old and disused metro stations?

Maybe they could be given a lick of paint and put back into service. Or how about rebranding them to drag in tourists with ghoulish yarns of haunted catacombs?

In the French capital of Paris, one mayoral candidate has raised the possibility of sprucing up a station that has lain idle since 1939 with elaborate swimming pools, nightclubs and art installations.

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