Grand Paris Express faces criticism over scale and cost

The Grand Paris Express, a major expansion of the Paris metro system, remains a subject of significant debate regarding its scale and purpose. Engineer and urban mobility specialist Harm Smit has criticized the project, describing it in his co-authored work as an ‘elephant blanc’ (white elephant) that misleads the public.

The project originated in 2003 as a plan to develop the Saclay plateau and evolved through various political iterations. Following a 2010 law, the project was synthesized into a plan involving four new metro lines (15, 16, 17, and 18) and the extension of existing lines 11 and 14. While proponents frame the expansion as a cornerstone of ecological mobility transition, critics question its immense costs and actual utility.