If aliens ever visited Earth and you wanted to show them just how unique, diverse, and bizarre humankind can get, you should take them for a ride on the subway. There’s something special about public transport that brings out the strangeness in some folks.

The Paris metro is no exception! The ‘Les Gens Dans Le Métro’ ('People in the Metro’) Instagram account documents the strangest sights that Parisians have seen on the subway. We’ve collected some of the funniest and oddest photos to share with you. Scroll down to check them out.

More info: Instagram | TikTok | Book

#1

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#2

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#3

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

‘Les Gens Dans Le Métro’ has been around for quite a while now. It was first started nearly 8 years ago, in April 2016. The Instagram page has grown by leaps and bounds, especially after it was picked up by the media in 2018. At the time of writing, the account boasts a very sizable following of 547k followers—and counting! Meanwhile, the project also has a jaw-dropping 307.6k followers on TikTok.

Over the years, the page has been covered by a variety of French news outlets. Meanwhile, the team running the project has also published an activity book to keep you busy while on the Parisian subway system.

#4

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#5

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#6

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

The person behind the wildly popular ‘Les Gens Dans Le Métro’ Instagram account is Gaëtan Lagarde, who is originally from Burgundy. He told ‘Le Parisien’ that the vast majority of the photos shared on the account are real. Some images, however, are of people doing artistic performances. 

#7

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#8

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#9

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

According to Lagarde, Parisians have a unique relationship with the metro system. They use their commute to put on makeup, do some work, exercise, and anything else you can think of.

He also pointed out that when commuters forget that there are other people around them, they stop caring about their opinions.

#10

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#11

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#12

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

Meanwhile, the founder of ‘Les Gens Dans Le Métro’ told ‘Actu Paris’ that the account was originally meant only to make his friends laugh. Lagarde said that, since he’s not Parisian, when he first arrived in the French capital, he was very curious and even took photos of the people he saw.

#13

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#14

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#15

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

For Lagarde, the success of the entire project comes down to contrast. On the one hand, you’ve got the dreary atmosphere of the capital’s metro system. On the other hand, this is juxtaposed by the peculiar and mind-boggling events taking place.

“We see in the photos that people are making faces. And even when something crazy happens, they remain indifferent,” he told ‘Actu Paris’ that the goal of his account isn’t just to be funny. It’s also to encourage people to react.

#16

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#17

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#18

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

One of the coolest things about the account is just how popular it is among the Paris metro staff. Lagarde has previously revealed that they sometimes send him messages. “They love the account and tell me they've seen incredible things on surveillance cameras. Unfortunately, they can’t share them with me…” he said.

#19

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#20

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#21

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

According to ‘The Paris Pass,’ the French capital’s metro is the fourth oldest and one of the most established systems in the world. It was opened back in 1900, after the Paris World Exposition. During the Second World War, members of the French Resistance used it to resist the German invaders.

These days, it is the second busiest metro system in Europe.

#22

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#23

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#24

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

It’s not just the Paris metro that is so bizarre. There’s something particular about public transportation that increases the likelihood of you seeing strange things. During a previous interview, Bored Panda spoke to Rick McGuire, the creator of the ‘Subway Creatures’ social media project, focusing on subway weirdness in New York City.

According to McGuire, there are many “unique, talented, and crazy people who use the subway system on a daily basis.”

#25

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#26

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#27

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

There’s always something new to see, even if you’re a public transportation veteran. “New Yorkers can relate to it, and everyone else can’t believe what they are seeing. Just when you think you've seen it all, something new happens,” McGuire told us earlier.

“People can be easily intimidated by the NYC subway system, but, in general, it isn’t that hard to navigate. Some sage advice would be to stay away from the edge of the platforms, and if you see an empty train car, just remember—there’s probably a reason it’s empty in NYC.”

#28

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#29

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#30

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

Which of the photos did you find the weirdest, dear Pandas? What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on public transport? Have you ever taken the Paris metro before? If so, did you witness anything particularly odd? Scroll down to the comment section to share your thoughts and experiences.

#31

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#32

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#33

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#34

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#35

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#36

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#37

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#38

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#39

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#40

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#41

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#42

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#43

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#44

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#45

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#46

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#47

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#48

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#49

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#50

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#51

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#52

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#53

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#54

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#55

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#56

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#57

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#58

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#59

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#60

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#61

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#62

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#63

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#64

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_

#65

Image credits: lesgensdanslemetro_