Travel Essentials: Tipping

Overview

Tipping in France is not required and is seen as personal decision made solely on one's enjoyment of a service provided. Servers are paid a living wage in France, so any extra gratuity should directly reflect your experience. It is French law that all restaurants add a 12–15 percent service charge to the bill total—even if it is not explicitly noted on your check. As a general rule, rounding up to the nearest whole number, or nearest multiple of five, will ensure a generous gratuity. On the other hand, if you found the service to be unsatisfactory, don't tip.

In restaurants, the service charges are divided equally among the staff, but any extra gratuity left for your server goes directly into his or her pocket. Remember that the prices listed on the menus already have the service charge included, and you can only leave tips in cash—not on a credit card receipt.

France is part of the European Union, so the local currency is the euro (€), which is divided into 100 cents.

Tipping Guide

Setting	Gratuities
Transportation	Taxi drivers should be tipped 5–10 percent. Alternatively, you may round to the nearest euro.
Hotels	Porters should be tipped €1 per bag. Housekeeping staff should be tipped €1 to €2 per day. Concierges should be tipped €1 to €2 per day if they have helped with fulfilling any special requests.
Restaurants, Bars, Cafés	A 12–15 percent service charge is almost always included in the bill. However, if you feel you've had exceptional service, leaving 5 percent more or rounding up will be graciously accepted. Bartenders may be tipped coin change. Often French citizens will not tip on one drink. At cafés, tipping is not expected, but it is common to round to the nearest euro or to leave coin change.
Personal Services	Hairdressers should be tipped 10 percent.
Guides	Museum tour guides will be pleased to receive €1.

Terms for Payment and Tipping

The official language of France is French. Terms in French that you might encounter and find useful for point-of-payment situations are below.

English	French	Phonetic Pronunciation
The bill, please.	L'addition, s'il vous plaît.	lah-dee-syon, SEE-voo-PLEH.
How much is this?	Combien ça coûte?	kom-bee-EN sah koot?
Is service included?	Le service est-il inclus?	luh sehr-vees eh-tee-il an-kloo?
Money	Argent	ar-ZHAWN
Please	S'il vous plaît	SEE-voo-PLEH
Thank you	Merci	MARE-see
Yes	Oui	Wee
No	Non	Noh