Paris might look like a city made for strolling, but you could walk straight into a fine if you step the wrong way underground. The Metro is efficient and easy to love, but specific corridors in certain stations are designated for one-way walking only. If you ignore the signs and go against the flow, you’re technically breaking the rules. That rule comes with a price tag of €60, which is about $65.
The policy made international headlines back in 2018 when a pregnant woman took a shortcut in Concorde Station. She was fined for walking the wrong way. Her partner posted the ticket online, calling it a racket, and that post set off a firestorm. Others shared their own experiences of being stopped for the same thing. One rider told a French newspaper she was completely alone in the corridor when officers stopped her. Another said the signs seemed like guides, not legal instructions. For them, it felt petty.
Metro Rules Might Surprise You
Image via Unsplash/Nerissa J
The Paris Metro moves over a billion passengers a year across more than 300 stations. It’s easy to see why the city wants to keep things moving. Some of these corridors are narrow and designed to channel traffic in one direction to avoid collisions or crowding. But still, many were caught off guard to learn that walking the wrong way is an actual offense, not a casual suggestion. The signs are there. But tourists in a hurry, distracted locals, and even regular commuters often don’t notice them.
According to RATP, the agency that runs the Metro, the fines aren’t common. It’s up to inspectors to decide when to enforce the rule. They say it’s about keeping people safe and avoiding incidents in tight spaces. Still, the pushback came quickly. Critics pointed out the fine was higher than the one for riding without a ticket. Transit advocates called it unnecessary. Online, some joked that Parisians should be fined for blocking escalators instead. Others asked why a pregnant woman, of all people, would be singled out for something so minor.
To add to the confusion, not all stations enforce the rule equally. It depends on the layout and the volume of traffic. Some corridors are flagged as one-way during busy hours, then return to normal later. Tourists unfamiliar with the Metro might miss the signs completely. Combine that with language barriers, and the fine can feel like a trap. The rule isn’t new, but the strict enforcement caught a lot of people by surprise.
Other cities have similar systems, though they’re usually handled differently. Taipei, for example, uses bright floor markings and staff with megaphones to guide people through stations. In Beijing, entering the subway requires a full bag check, similar to airport security.
French laws have a history of being surprisingly specific. It’s illegal to name your pig Napoleon. You can’t kiss on train platforms. Some of these rules are rarely enforced, but they’re real. That sense of order can surprise tourists who arrive expecting croissants and casual fun.
It Could Be You
So, what should a traveler do if they get stopped? Stay calm, explain you’re visiting, and try to be polite. Using French helps. Most inspectors aren’t out to ruin anyone’s day, and fines can sometimes be reduced or canceled. But once it’s written, there’s not much room to argue. Some signs are hard to spot, but they’re legally binding, and missing one can come with consequences.