One of the top questions we get, hands down, is about tipping in Paris. It comes up all the time in our Facebook group, and clearly there’s a lot of confusion about this topic. So we’re going to walk you through it. There are different expectations with different services, too, so we’ve included some things to think about beyond restaurants and cafés.
Understanding Tipping Culture in Paris
Before we delve into the specifics of Paris tipping, let’s first look at the cultural differences. In the US, tipping is expected, a regular part of going out to eat. In fact, tips are factored into how restaurant wait staff get paid – tipping is a vital part of their income. In France, it works differently. Waiters here earn a living wage with benefits. So they are not depending on tips to get by. That doesn’t mean that tipping is nonexistent. So let’s see how it works in typical services you might experience while in Paris.
Tipping in Restaurants and Cafés
In Parisian restaurants and cafés, the service charge is included in the bill. Period. Full stop. It is built into the price of the meal. The bill may say service compris, which means service included. But even if it doesn’t say that explicitly, an amount is built into the pricing to pay staff. That’s by law.
So, technically, you don’t have to tip.
That said, it’s customary to leave a small amount if you receive exceptional service. What is exceptional? Well, if your waiter took time to explain the menu to you, that could count. Or if someone at your table had food allergies and the waiter made sure the meal came out ok for that person, that could count. Or maybe they made it a really fun experience. That counts too.
What Parisians do is to round up the bill or leave a tip of around 5-10% of the total amount. For example, if your bill is €38, rounding up to €40 and leaving a €2 tip would be appropriate. For planning purposes, if your server went the extra mile for you, a 5 to 10€ (or around 5%) tip will show your gratitude.
Remember, tipping is not mandatory. But it is a nice way to show your appreciation for a job well done.
Tipping in Bars and Clubs in France
When it comes to tipping in bars and nightlife establishments in Paris, the rules are similar. While the service charge is always included in the bill, leaving a little bit extra is appreciated for exceptional service. And we mean exceptional service. If the bartender is simply handing you over a beer, you don’t have to tip anything. Just like in a restaurant, you can round up the bill. If the bartender goes above and beyond to make your experience enjoyable, consider leaving a slightly larger tip to say merci for a larger order. (€5 to €10 would be considered good)
Tipping for Other Services in Paris
The majority of the questions we get are about restaurants, but we want to make sure you’re covered in other situations. So here is our guide to tipping for a whole range of services you might use on a trip to Paris.
Hotel Services
Tipping in hotels is a common practice in Paris, especially if the staff goes out of their way to make your stay comfortable and memorable. For concierge services, a tip of €2-€5 is appropriate for their assistance with restaurant reservations, travel recommendations, or other special requests. If a bellman helped with your bags, give them €1-€2 per bag. For housekeeping services, leaving €1-€2 per night is customary.
Taxi and Transportation
When using taxi services in Paris, you don’t have to tip the driver. However, rounding up the fare to the nearest euro is common practice. For example, if your fare is €9.50, you can give the driver €10. Tipping is particularly appreciated if the driver has helped with luggage or provided extra services. If you use a ride sharing app like Uber, the tipping option is built into the experience, usually with options for how much to tip.
Tipping for Tour Guides and Sightseeing Services
If you take a guided tour in Paris, like the ones we recommend, it is customary to tip the guide at the end of the tour. Plan on a tip of around €5 per person, depending on the length and quality of the tour. If you had an exceptional experience or received personalized attention, a slightly larger tip is a nice way to show your appreciation.
Spas and Salons
Visiting a spa or salon in Paris is a treat, and tipping the staff is a way to express your satisfaction with the services provided. Similar to other service industries, tipping in spas and salons is not mandatory but appreciated. A tip of 5% of the total bill is customary. As always, if you had an exceptional experience, feel free to give a larger tip to show your gratitude.
Tipping Scams to Watch Out For
While tipping isn’t mandatory, sometimes people try to take advantage of foreigners who may not know that. This is especially true in restaurants. Most – especially the ones we recommend – are run by honest, hard working people. But occasionally a waiter may try to finagle a little extra out of you from certain places.
Waiters love Americans because of how well we usually tip, and some may tell you that the service is not included in the bill. Simply not true. They may point to the VAT (Value Added Tax) and tell you that’s a tax, not a tip. That is true. But don’t fall for it. You can simply say that you understood that the service is automatically included to the price of the meal by law.
Some restaurants even print “tips not included,” in English, on the receipt, trying to confuse visitors. But now you know, so you don’t have to fall for this trick. Don’t be bullied into leaving a tip! The reason they write it in English and not French says it all.
For more tips, you might want to watch our video on restaurant scams.
Helpful Tipping Chart for Paris & France
Conclusion: Being Mindful of Tipping Customs in Paris
As you enjoy all the wonderful experiences Paris has to offer, just remember this simple rule of thumb: tipping is optional, but always welcome. Whether you’re dining out, staying in a hotel, or enjoying a tour, a small tip is a gesture of gratitude that will be appreciated by the hardworking people who make your experience memorable.