The station is located at the intersection of Boulevard de Ménilmontant, Avenue de la République and Avenue Gambetta, west of Place Auguste-Métivier, the platforms being positioned: The station was opened on 31 January 1903 as part of the extension of Line 2 (known at the time as "2 Nord") from Anvers to Bagnolet (now called Alexandre Dumas).

As part of the RATP's Renouveau du métro program, the station's corridors were renovated by 4 March 2005.

The platforms of line 3 are established flush with the ground; the ceiling consists of a metal deck, the beams of which are supported by vertical pillars.

The white ceramic tiles, placed vertically and aligned, are flat and cover the side walls, the tunnel exits and the outlets of the corridors.

The advertising frames are metallic, and the name of the station is written in Parisine typography on enamelled plates.