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étudiante dans une station de metro sous terrain à Paris
Practical information Paris

27 March 2026

Grand Paris Express Line 18: Route, stations and progress

You have probably seen the construction sites or noticed the huge viaduct taking shape on the horizon. If you are wondering how you will get around tomorrow, Grand Paris Express Line 18 is set to become a key ally. This fully automatic metro project is more than a line on a map. It is a concrete response to the mobility needs of students, researchers, and working people across Île-de-France.

Imagine traveling directly and quickly between Orly Airport, the Saclay plateau, and Versailles. Whether you are following the construction work closely or tracking the impressive progress of the tunnel-boring machine, one thing is certain: this major network will help open up the Essonne and the Yvelines. For anyone living near Ecla Paris Massy Palaiseau, this infrastructure is a unique opportunity to reach the region’s centers of excellence in record time.

étudiante dans une station de metro sous terrain à Paris

Key takeaways about Line 18

  • Line 18 links Orly Airport, the Saclay plateau, and Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.
  • Commissioning will happen in phases, with the first stations opening from mid-2026.
  • From 2030, the trip from Guyancourt to Antony will take 22 minutes instead of 1 hour today.
  • The metro will run underground in a tunnel, and also above ground on an impressive 6.7 km viaduct.
  • The MRV/MR18 trains are 100% automated and operated by Keolis to provide fast, reliable service.
  • Good news for Ecla Paris Massy Palaiseau residents: the line will run right nearby. It is an ideal option to reach the university, École Polytechnique, or work with less stress.

The 10 stations on Line 18

Line 18 will stretch for around 35 km, including 24 km underground and 11 km elevated, notably across the Saclay plateau, thanks to a striking viaduct. The route was designed to serve strategic areas while balancing residents’ transport needs with access to major economic and academic hubs.

Here are the ten planned stops, from west to east:

  • Versailles–Chantiers: A major interchange with RER C, Transilien lines N and U, regional trains, and the TGV.
  • Satory: South-west of Versailles, this future hub will serve business areas and the innovation cluster.
  • Guyancourt: A key connection point to link residential areas and Yvelines businesses to the wider network.
  • Christ de Saclay: A gateway to research centers and innovative companies on the plateau.
  • Université Paris-Saclay: The stop at the heart of the university, ideal for students and researchers.
  • Polytechnique: Fast access to the prestigious École Polytechnique and nearby research institutes.
  • Massy–Palaiseau: The major interchange (RER B, RER C, TGV). A key gateway to Paris for Ecla Paris Massy Palaiseau residents.
  • Massy Opéra: Ideal for reaching the lively city center and cultural venues.
  • Antonypole / Wissous Centre: A strategic stop for Antony’s business district and for Wissous residents.
  • Orly Airport: The terminus, with a connection to Line 14.

Commissioning schedule

Line 18 will open progressively, in stages, as station construction advances:

Mid-2026: The big start. Opening of the first section between Orly Airport and Massy–Palaiseau, including the Antonypole / Wissous Centre and Massy Opéra stops. This also includes delivery of the 6.7 km viaduct. For Ecla Paris Massy Palaiseau residents, this means a direct, ultra-fast link to the airport or the RER.

2027: The line continues westward. The metro reaches the Saclay plateau to serve Université Paris-Saclay, École Polytechnique, and Christ de Saclay. Société du Grand Paris is accelerating development projects to connect the academic world.

2030: The final step, extending to Guyancourt, Satory, and finally Versailles–Chantiers, completing the mobility loop in the Yvelines.

Work is moving forward at a steady pace: tunnel excavation is well advanced, and station construction is progressing significantly, with major civil engineering firms such as Vinci involved. To track progress in real time and discover ongoing projects related to Line 18, visit the dedicated page for the Société du Grand Paris Line 18 worksites.

Cutting-edge technology: MRV/MR18 trains

Line 18 will be a true technological showcase for the entire region. Fully automated, this metro will run without a driver, ensuring regular service and optimal frequency. The rolling stock, MRV/MR18 (Automated Metro for Viaduct and Tunnel), stands out for several major strengths:

  • Capacity: Each train will carry large numbers of passengers, supporting the daily transport of thousands of users.
  • Comfort and design: Modern, spacious interiors, air conditioning, real-time passenger information, and multi-purpose areas.
  • Speed: Shorter journey times thanks to higher operating speeds, with around 30 minutes between Orly Airport and Versailles in the long term.
  • Full automation: Maximum reliability and increased safety for all passengers.

Keolis will operate the line. Keolis is a leading public transport operator in Europe and internationally, ensuring high-quality day-to-day service.

Ecla Paris Massy Palaiseau residence: ideally connected

Located at 16 avenue Émile Baudot in Palaiseau, Ecla Paris Massy Palaiseau is just a short walk from the future Palaiseau and Massy–Palaiseau stations on Line 18. This prime location makes Ecla an ideal starting point to explore all the opportunities the region offers.

From mid-2026, residents will have direct access to essential destinations:

  • Top schools and universities on the plateau: École Polytechnique, CentraleSupélec, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, and the CEA will be accessible from home. No more long bus or car journeys. The automated metro will get you there quickly and easily.
  • Massy city center: The nearby Massy stop provides access to shops and the city’s cultural center.
  • Orly Airport: With a direct connection via Line 18, the airport becomes reachable in record time. A real advantage for international students, frequent travelers, or welcoming friends and family.
  • Paris: Thanks to RER B and RER C connections at Massy–Palaiseau station, Paris is within easy reach for internships, cultural outings, or weekends in the city.

Line 18 will turn Ecla Paris Massy Palaiseau into a true living hub: modern, comfortable housing with coworking spaces for studying, a fitness room, a chillroom, and a cinebox to unwind, plus direct connectivity to the region’s opportunities. It is the ideal mix of on-site quality of life and exceptional mobility.

Impact on the region and key connections

Beyond Ecla residents, Line 18 will have a transformative impact across the entire corridor it serves. This major Grand Paris Express project is reshaping how people live and move around Île-de-France.

The Saclay plateau will be directly integrated into the Grand Paris Express network, making collaboration easier between universities, labs, and innovative companies. For thousands of students and researchers, especially at École Polytechnique and nearby institutes, this means easier access to classes and industrial partners, from Versailles to Massy.

Orly will become more accessible, simplifying travel for passengers and workers at the airport platform. The worksites for this section are among the largest across the entire Grand Paris Express program.

Massy–Palaiseau station will become a key transport hub thanks to multiple connections: RER B to Paris-Nord and CDG, RER C to Paris-Austerlitz and Versailles, the future southern extension of Line 14 at Orly, and many bus lines reorganized around the new stations. To plan your journeys today, Île-de-France Mobilités helps you explore the current and future network from Guyancourt to Orly.

Key figures for Line 18 :

Indicator Value
Total length ~35 km
Underground section ~24 km
Elevated viaduct section ~11 km
Number of stations 10
Number of trains (ultimately) ~20 MRV/MR18 trains
Temps de parcours Orly ↔ Satory ~30 minutes
Operator Keolis

FAQ: Your questions about Grand Paris Express Line 18

In phases: Orly–Massy–Palaiseau from mid-2026, extension to CEA Saint-Aubin in 2027, and full opening in 2030. Each phase involves complex engineering projects supervised by Société du Grand Paris Express, coordinating works closely with local authorities and civil engineering companies. Construction is progressing according to the planned schedule, and Société du Grand Paris publishes regular progress updates on its worksites. These worksites mobilize hundreds of workers and technicians, making Line 18 one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in France in recent decades.

The network will include 10 strategic stations: Versailles–Chantiers, Satory, Guyancourt, Christ de Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, Polytechnique, Massy–Palaiseau, Massy Opéra, Antonypole / Wissous Centre, and Orly Airport.

Each stop has been designed to maximize connections with the existing Île-de-France network: RER lines (B and C), Transilien lines (N and U), and bus services will be reorganized around the new stations. The Polytechnique stop, for example, will enable students to reach École Polytechnique and nearby research institutes in just a few minutes. Université Paris-Saclay station will provide direct, fast access to the heart of the campus and the Saclay plateau faculties for researchers and teaching staff.

MRV/MR18 trains will be fully automated and designed for fast, comfortable, and safe travel along the entire route. These next-generation trains are the result of large-scale industrial projects involving several companies specializing in railway rolling stock manufacturing. Their design required extensive research and development to ensure compatibility with both route types: the underground tunnel section and the elevated viaduct section. Reliable, quiet, and accessible, they meet the highest standards of modern public transport.

Keolis, a major public transport operator in France, will be responsible for day-to-day operations and maintenance. This choice continues the modernization efforts led by Société du Grand Paris Express, which selected Keolis for its expertise in automated lines in France and internationally. In practice, Keolis will manage stations, punctuality, and passenger safety across all phases of the line. Preparations for operations, including technical testing on the different sections, are already underway under Société’s supervision, alongside teams still active on the worksites.

5 minutes

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