Hi all, hoping any locals can help us with advice. As a non-native speaker, I have tonight had a very difficult experience with the RATP authorities and feel we have been unfairly treated.

My partner and I purchased the 3-day Paris Visite tickets on Saturday and have since been using the metro regularly. This evening at Trocadéro my partner and I went to use our tickets - I went through the barrier just fine, while my partners ticket didn’t work but she successfully managed to push through the barrier. We were immediately approached by a RATP ticket officer who informed us that a fine was now payable. We were unaware the ticket did not work (apparently it had demagnetised?) and though I tried to calmly and fairly explain the situation, stating that I understood this was her job etc, she stated that her boss was here and therefore she has to give a fine.

We then spoke to “the boss” who stated something along the lines of “you go through barrier without valid ticket, you pay fine, no ifs no buts.” When I tried to explain he said there is no explanation, followed by “vive le France my friend.” He was very hostile and aggressive, there was no reasoning with this man at all. He said “pay the fine or we’ll take you to the police station”. Rather than potentially spending my final night here in a Parisian prison cell I paid the €60 fine.

This all feels rather unfair given we paid and were carrying 2 valid tickets, we’re calm and rational people. I even apologised and said we’d happily go back to the ticket office and get the demagnetised ticket changed but we were told “it’s too late now, you must be fined”.

Is this right? Can I appeal this? Seems like one person was on a power trip.

Thanks in advance!