Belleville funicular tramway, Cable car system in Belleville, France
The Belleville funicular tramway was a cable-driven rail system connecting Place de la République to Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Belleville Church across a route of roughly 2 kilometers. It used a cable mechanism to haul cars up the steep inclines of the neighborhood.
The system opened in 1891 to better serve the steeply sloped neighborhood and connect its growing population. It closed in 1924 as the area transformed and newer transportation options became available.
The tramway was woven into daily life for residents living and working across the steep hills of Belleville. It reflected the neighborhood's role as a thriving center of commerce and labor.
Rides were relatively quick, taking just minutes to travel between stops, making the service practical for people commuting between the heights and lower areas of the neighborhood. Key stations were centrally located and easy to reach from everyday locations.
The cable system ran beneath street level through U-shaped rails, a design that was groundbreaking in Europe at the time. This hidden technology allowed traffic to flow smoothly through the narrow streets of the neighborhood.
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