The station opened on 21 April 1908 as part of the original section from Châtelet to Porte de Clignancourt.
It is situated on the border of the 1st and 2nd arrondissements. The underground station is named after Étienne Marcel (between 1302 and 1310 – 31 July 1358), who was the provost of the Paris merchants from 1354 - 1358. It is served by the metro line 4.
The line has only one entrance, which is on the rue Turbigo.
The ouside is in Art Nouveau style.
The yellow sign over the entrance has the the word "Metropolitain" written in green letters.
On its sides are two large flower-shaped lamps with red lights.
The corridor from the entrance is tiled about head-high in white ceramic tiles with a raised centre. At ground level is a row of plein turquoise tiles.
At the top is a row of turquoise border tiles with flowers in diamonds.
A map of the local area hangs in a white ceramic frame.
The ceiling is flat with some support beams. They are painted white.
The same style of lighting is used as on the platforms.
Entrance to the platform is from the end. A fire extinguisher has been placed on the wall close by.
The walls are tiled in white ceramic tiles with a raised centre.
The signage is in mixed case white letters on blue.
The edge of the platform is marked in white. A row of about 20 cm wide nobbed tiles has been added to warn sight-impaired travellers of the edge.
The vaulted ceiling is tiled. The lights consist of flourescent tubes in a silver casing and hang in pairs of two wires from the ceiling.
The tracks are separated by a low metal fence.
Red plastic seats are mounted on metal bars fixed to the wall. Behind them are advertising boards in metal frames.
The red plastic seats have been replaced with yellow plastic chairs in 2016.