Parisian public transport will gradually accept bank card payments, starting June 30, 2026, with a full rollout by 2030. This new service, primarily aimed at tourists, will be financed by higher fares for visitors to avoid burdening local taxpayers.
Artist David Hockney, who died at 88, was known for his lifelong love of smoking and his vocal opposition to smoking bans. His painting 'Play within a Play within a Play and Me with a Cigarette' sparked controversy with Paris Metro authorities, and he frequently wrote to newspapers advocating for smoking as an inalienable right. Despite health issues, including a mini-stroke, Hockney continued to paint, with his final works reflecting warmth and dignity.
Artist David Hockney, who died at 88, was a vocal defender of smoking, viewing it as a matter of personal freedom and artistic expression. His painting "Play within a Play within a Play and Me with a Cigarette" sparked controversy with Paris Metro authorities over advertising regulations, highlighting his lifelong stance against "bossiness." Hockney often drew parallels between the societal tolerance of homosexuality and the intolerance shown towards smokers, advocating for smoking as an inalienable right.
Île-de-France Mobilités will soon allow payment for Paris metro access using bank cards. This "open payment" solution, already in place on buses, aims to simplify ticketing for residents and tourists, addressing long-standing queues at ticket counters.
