Taking line 4 of the Paris metro means crossing Paris from north to south, passing through some of the busiest transfer hubs in the network. From Porte de Clignancourt to Bagneux – Lucie Aubrac, this line serves stations like Gare du Nord, Châtelet, Montparnasse – Bienvenüe, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Knowing its schedules and specifics can help avoid many unpleasant surprises, especially when construction disrupts service.
Closure of Saint-Michel and work on line 4 at the end of 2026
Before discussing the usual schedules, one point deserves your full attention if you plan to use line 4 soon. The Saint-Michel station will not be served from September 14 to December 19, 2026. Trains will pass without stopping during this period due to major renovation work on the infrastructure.
Only the metro part is affected. The RER B and C at Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame remain accessible. To reach the Latin Quarter or Boulevard Saint-Michel from line 4, you will need to get off at Odéon or Cité and then walk a few minutes.
This is not an isolated case. In the summer of 2026, traffic was already heavily disrupted: six central stations were not served between July 6 and July 24 (Châtelet, Cité, Saint-Michel, Odéon, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and Saint-Sulpice). These summer closures affect various lines in the Paris network each year, but line 4, which crosses the hypercenter, concentrates the inconveniences for both tourists and Parisians.
To anticipate these disruptions and check the schedules of line 4 of the Paris metro in real-time, it is better to check the traffic status before each trip rather than relying on theoretical schedules.
Schedules of line 4: first and last metros
The operation of line 4 follows the common rhythm of most lines in the Paris network, with a few useful nuances to know.
On weekdays and weekends
The first trains run from 5:30 AM from both terminals, Porte de Clignancourt in the north and Bagneux – Lucie Aubrac in the south. From Sunday to Thursday, service stops around 1:15 AM (last train departing from the terminal).
On Friday and Saturday nights, as well as the nights before public holidays, service is extended until about 2:15 AM. This extended time frame changes the game if you go out late in the Montparnasse area or near Les Halles.
Frequency of trains
During peak hours, the interval between two trains drops to two or three minutes. During off-peak hours, expect about four minutes. In the evening after 10 PM and on Sunday mornings, the wait can reach six to eight minutes.
Have you noticed that the wait time displayed on the screens at the station doesn’t always match reality? Night work and occasional incidents regularly shift train arrivals. Checking real-time schedules remains more reliable than memorizing a fixed timetable.
Key connections and stations to know on line 4
Line 4 intersects almost all other metro lines and several RER lines. Not all connections are equally practical.
- Gare du Nord: access to RER B, D, and E, lines 2 and 5, and long-distance trains (Thalys, Eurostar). The station is often crowded during peak hours, so allow a few extra minutes for transfers.
- Châtelet: connection with lines 1, 7, 11, 14 and RER A, B, D via Châtelet – Les Halles. The corridor between Châtelet and Les Halles is long, expect five to ten minutes of underground walking.
- Montparnasse – Bienvenüe: access to lines 6, 12, 13 and Montparnasse station (TGV to the west and southwest). The transfer with line 13 requires crossing a long corridor.
- Strasbourg – Saint-Denis: intersection with lines 8 and 9, useful for reaching Bastille or République without going through Châtelet.
For trips to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area, the station of the same name on line 4 drops you directly in the sector. But during construction periods, Odéon (connection to line 10) becomes the closest alternative.
Adapting your trips when line 4 is disrupted
Partial interruptions on line 4 are not uncommon, especially since the launch of modernization programs. On August 6, 2026, a smoke release caused a several-hour interruption on a section of the line. This type of incident, while not daily, justifies having a plan B.
When the central section is cut off, three reflexes can help limit time loss:
- Switch to line 14, which also connects Châtelet to Montparnasse with a shorter travel time due to its complete automation.
- Use the RER B between Gare du Nord and Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame to bypass a closure of intermediate stations on line 4.
- Take the bus lines that run along Boulevard Saint-Michel or Rue de Rennes, which are often less crowded than underground connections.
Line 14 is the best alternative route for a quick north-south trip when line 4 experiences disruptions between Châtelet and Montparnasse. The two lines share several service areas, and line 14 runs with a high frequency.
Why theoretical schedules are not enough on line 4
Line 4 transports a considerable volume of passengers every day. Its central position in the network makes it one of the lines most exposed to chain delays: an incident at Châtelet quickly affects service all the way to Porte de Clignancourt or Bagneux.
The schedules published by RATP indicate the times of the first and last departures, as well as average frequencies. These data are reliable for planning a morning trip or a last metro, but they do not take into account scheduled works or unforeseen events.
The most effective habit remains to check the traffic status on the RATP app or the screens at the station a few minutes before leaving. During the closure of Saint-Michel in the fall of 2026, this verification becomes necessary for any trip passing through central Paris.