💸 Tipping in Paris: What’s Customary (and What’s Not)

Tipping in Paris (and generally in France) can be a source of confusion for many international visitors, especially those from cultures where large tips are customary. The key to understanding French tipping etiquette lies in knowing that service (service compris) is almost always included in the price of your meal, drink, or service.

Here’s a clear guide to tipping in Paris, designed to help you navigate smoothly and avoid awkward moments:

💸 Tipping in Paris: What’s Customary (and What’s Not)

The core principle in France is that staff are paid a living wage (including a service charge that is legally mandated to be included in the price), so tips are genuinely seen as an extra token of appreciation for exceptional service, rather than a mandatory part of their income.

1. Restaurants & Cafés (The Most Common Confusion)

• Service is Included: By French law, prices displayed on menus in restaurants and cafés (including bistros and brasseries) must include a 15% service charge. This is usually indicated by “service compris” (service included) on the menu or bill, though often not explicitly stated on every line item.
• When to Tip:
  • No Obligation: You are not obliged to leave any additional tip. The server is paid.
  • For Excellent Service: If you receive genuinely outstanding service, a small extra tip is a nice gesture and appreciated.
  • Small Change: For a coffee or a quick drink at a café, if the bill is, say, €2.80, you might leave the €0.20 change or round up to €3.00.
  • For a Meal: For a sit-down meal, if service was excellent, you might leave €2-€5 per person, or round up the bill to the nearest €5 or €10. For example, if the bill is €47, you might leave €50. If it’s €85, you might leave €90.
  • Larger Bills: For a very large bill in a high-end restaurant with exceptional service, you might leave up to 5% of the total, but rarely more than that. This is still a discretionary gesture.
• How to Tip:
  • Cash is King for Tips: It’s best to leave the tip in cash on the table when you leave. If you pay by card, there’s usually no option to add a tip, and if you leave it on the card, it often goes to the restaurant’s owner, not directly to the staff.
  • Avoid Over-Tipping: Leaving a 15-20% tip like in North America is unnecessary and can sometimes be seen as odd or even ostentatious. It’s simply not part of the culture.

2. Taxis

• No Obligation: Similar to restaurants, tipping is not expected. The fare displayed on the meter is the final price.
• When to Tip: If the driver is particularly helpful with luggage, offers excellent service (e.g., provides local tips, gets you there efficiently through traffic), or if you simply want to be generous.
• How Much: You might round up the fare to the nearest euro or five euros (e.g., €18.50 becomes €20, or €28 becomes €30). For airport transfers with fixed rates and good service, rounding up a few euros (e.g., €5) is common.

3. Tour Guides

• General Rule: For pre-booked group tours (especially those booked through large companies), tipping is often not expected, as the guide is paid by the company. However, if your guide was exceptional and truly enhanced your experience, a tip is a very welcome gesture.
• “Free” Walking Tours: These tours are entirely tip-based. The guides rely on your generosity. Tip what you feel the tour was worth, usually €5-€15 per person, depending on the quality and duration.
• Private Guides: For a private guide you hired for a half or full day, a tip of €10-€50 (or 5-10% of the total cost for exceptional service) is appropriate, reflecting the personalized experience.

4. Hotels (Concierge, Bellhops, Housekeeping)

• Concierge: If they go above and beyond to secure difficult reservations or provide exceptional assistance, a tip of €5-€20 (depending on the complexity of the task) is a nice gesture.
• Bellhops/Porters: If they help with luggage, a couple of euros per bag (€2-€5 total) is common.
• Housekeeping: Not typically expected unless you are staying for a week or more and want to leave a small amount (€2-€5 per day) for exceptional service at the end of your stay.
• Doorman/Doorman: Not typically tipped unless they provide a specific service beyond just opening the door.

5. Other Services (Hairdressers, Spa, Barbers)

• Hairdressers/Barbers: Round up to the nearest euro or add a couple of euros (€2-€5).
• Spa Treatments: Not typically expected. If service was exceptional, you might round up or leave a few euros.

Debunking Myths for North American Visitors:

• No 15-20% Rule: Forget the percentage rules common in North America. Tipping is discretionary and much smaller.
• Not Income-Dependent: French workers’ wages are not structured to rely on tips. Your tip is a bonus, not a necessity for their livelihood.
• No Awkwardness: You won’t face any awkwardness or pressure if you don’t tip. It’s simply not part of the cultural expectation.

Tips for Avoiding Awkward Moments:

1. Look for “Service Compris”: Assume service is included. If it’s not explicitly stated, it still is.
2. Cash is Best: Always try to have small euro notes (€1, €2, €5) or coins for tipping.
3. Don’t Overthink It: If you’re unsure, a few euros is always appreciated for good service, but never feel obligated.
4. French Phrases:
   • “C’est bon, merci.” (That’s fine, thank you.) – When receiving change, indicating you’re leaving the rest as a tip.
   • “Gardez la monnaie.” (Keep the change.) – If you’re paying in cash and want to leave the exact change as a tip.

By understanding these nuances, you can confidently navigate tipping in Paris, showing appreciation where it’s genuinely earned, without feeling pressured to overspend.