Parisian Parking Meters

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These are the two types of horodateur, or parking meter, that you see on the sidewalks of Paris. The model on the left takes coins; the model on the right takes disposable or permanent “smart cards” (cartes à puce), which you can buy in tobacco stores or apply for at city hall (if you are a resident), respectively.

The coin-operated model simply accepts change. The card-operated model accepts a smart card and either debits the card (if you are using a disposable telephone-card-type smart card) or notes the validity of the card (if it is a permanent permit). Both models provide you with a receipt showing the time you parked and the duration of parking for which you paid, and you must put the receipt on the dashboard of your car in plain view. You must return to the car before the time marked on the receipt elapses, or you may receive a parking ticket. Parking is periodically verified by meter maids, called contractuelles in French (they are always female, from what I’ve seen).

Photographed on May 14, 1999.