Compagnie du chemin de fer métropolitain de Paris

There were some tensions between the national government and the city for the control of the operation, but the approach of the World Fair of 1900 speeded the decisions.

That included building the tunnels, viaducts and stations and contracting for the operation.

In 1897 the city council chose the General Traction Company, owned by the Belgian Baron Édouard Louis Joseph Empain.

An act of 30 March 1898 declared a public utility for "the construction of a metropolitan railway by electric traction, intended for the transport of the travelers and their hand luggage".

In 1938, the CMP took over the Sceaux line, which had until then formed part of the Paris-Orleans railway company.