The era of paper metro tickets in Paris has officially come to an end.
RATP, the city’s transport operator, confirmed that the sale of traditional paper tickets has been discontinued, marking the final step in a long-term transition toward fully digital fare systems.
The move is part of a modernization effort aimed at reducing environmental waste and improving passenger convenience through new smart cards and contactless payment methods.
“Eliminating paper tickets helps reduce our environmental footprint by ending production and recycling processes,” said a spokesperson for RATP.
A farewell to the iconic paper ticket
Sales were halted a few days ago — the last phase in the gradual phase-out of single-use cards.
Two years ago, RATP had already stopped selling the popular “carnet” of 10 tickets, once a favorite among tourists for its discounted price.
Anyone still holding unused paper tickets will be able to use them until next year or exchange them for electronic alternatives.
A modern, sustainable metro system
According to RATP, over 500 million paper tickets were sold each year, most ending up as litter.
The new system encourages passengers to use Navigo Easy cards, mobile tickets, and contactless payments, simplifying travel while cutting waste.
The operator also highlights that the shift improves passenger flow and makes access to public transport easier for all users.
Introduced when the first metro line opened in 1900, Paris’s paper tickets have now officially become a thing of the past — replaced by a greener, smarter future underground.