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Paris requires no introduction. The French city has been romanticised by artists of all genres, and it is at the forefront of fashion, architecture, art, gastronomy, and tourism innovations. Paris also ranks first among the world's most popular honeymoon locations. In terms of tourist attractions, Paris has plenty of options. There is a lot to choose from, including the 12th-century Gothic cathedral Notre-Dame, the Sacr-Cur Basilica in Montmartre, the Catacombes or the Pre Lachaise Cemetery, and the Palace of Versailles with its lavishly landscaped gardens. However, it is the towering wrought-iron Eiffel Tower that is symbolic of Paris.
Indian tourists visiting the Eiffel Tower can now use UPI to book tickets. On Friday, February 2, India formally inaugurated UPI system at the Eiffel Tower, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "vision of taking UPI global."
“UPI formally launched at the iconic Eiffel Tower at the huge Republic Day Reception. Implementing PM @narendramodi’s announcement & the vision of taking UPI global,” the official X handle of India’s Embassy in France posted along with the photos of the event. Prime Minister Modi replied saying, "Great to see this - it marks a significant step towards taking UPI global. This is a wonderful example of encouraging digital payments and fostering stronger ties."
During his visit to France last year, Prime Minister Modi announced India and France's agreement to adopt the UPI payment mechanism. He had stated that it would begin at the renowned Eiffel Tower. Prime Minister Modi announced that Indian tourists in France will now be able to pay in rupees.
Indians visiting Eiffel Tower may now easily purchase tickets through UPI. The move will make it easier for Indian tourists to conduct online transactions, as well as provide them with an excellent opportunity to travel seamlessly. It will also create opportunities for merchants in France and Europe, particularly in the tourism and retail industries. Indian tourists can simply scan a QR code generated on the merchant's website to make a payment.
The Eiffel Tower is Europe's first site to accept UPI payments. And France is the first country in Europe to implement this digital payment mechanism. The successful implementation of digital payment at the historic site will pave the way for the spread of UPI services to other tourism and retail establishments around the European nation.
According to a statement from the NPCI, its subsidiary, NPCI International Payments (NIPL), has partnered with French e-commerce and proximity payments company Lyra to ensure that the UPI payment system is accepted in the European country, beginning with the Eiffel Tower. Interestingly, according to the NIPL press release, Indians are the second-largest group of international visitors to the Eiffel Tower.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPIL) established the UPI, India's mobile payment system, in 2016. It enables consumers to make payments around the clock using a virtual payment address supplied by the customer. UPI connects several bank accounts to a single mobile app from any participating bank, combining several banking services, smooth fund routing, and merchant payments under one umbrella.
