Tipping in Paris: How to do it Right

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Tipping in Paris often sparks debates on social media. In fact, there is barely a week where not a lengthy thread pops up with everyone chiming in.

Essentially, there are two camps: those who firmly believe that there’s no need to tip since service charges are included in France, and those who advocate for generous tipping as a show of appreciation for excellent service.

So, what’s the right approach to tipping in Paris? As someone who has called Paris home for 17 years, I am here to shed light on what locals really do when it comes to tipping.

I am married to a Parisian, with whom I eat more than I care to admit in restaurants. From simple brasseries to Michelin star establishments, I have gathered quite a bit of practice when it comes to tipping in Paris.

So join me as we unravel the nuances of this age-old debate and discover the authentic customs and unwritten rules that govern tipping in Paris.

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Tipping in Paris: Decoding the Etiquette

I genuinely understand that “do you tip in Paris” is a common question, though. Because no one wants to offend or be cultural or customary tone depth. Especially not when you travel abroad. But you would rather not be taken advantage off, neither.

But as much as I wish it was as easy as in Japan, where tipping is downright rude, and you just don’t do it, it’s a bit more complicated in Paris. Let’s start at the beginning.

Service Compris: Service included?

When eating out or taking a coffee or a drink in a bar, your ticket states, “service compris”. Many believe that this is the tip, that is included in the price. Hence, making it unnecessary to leave a tip. You find this information all over the internet and many so-called experts repeating it.

However, it is not true. Service compris is NOT a tip.

I repeat: Service Compris is NOT a tip.

It is a service charge that you pay to the restaurant owner to help them cover salaries, benefits, and social charges for their employees. The server and wait staff are not seeing a cent from it. It goes 100% to the business owner.

In other words, the salary of your waiter is included in the price of your food. It’s not a gratuity for good service.

But the server is getting a fair and regular salary thanks to this service charge, doesn’t he?

Yes and no.

⇨ Yes, because it is correct, that, compared to many other countries, the service staff gets at least the minimum salary in France. This is fixed by the government and is obligatory to receive for every employee in France.

It’s called SMIC and lies in 2023 at 1353,07€ (after tax and charges).

⇨ No because even though many service employees earn luckily a bit more than €1353,07, it is either way not a sum that grants you much luxury. In fact, the SMIC covers on average the rent of a 1-bedroom apartment in Paris.

I let you do the math here.

Good to know: the price on the menu is the final price you pay. It includes taxes and service charges.

Do You Tip in Paris?

Tipping in Paris in not an obligation, and there are many Parisians who not always tip. However, most do leave a tip when eating out or enjoying a drink on a terrace.

But contrarily to many other countries, there is no rule over the amount you should tip in Paris. And most importantly: you are not rude, if you decide not to leave a tip.

Leaving a tip in Paris is always an appreciated gesture, like a bonus. But tipping is not a French custom that you have to respect to blend in. Tipping in France is polite, though.

Note: If you liked the service and the food, and enjoyed your experience, feel free to leave a tip. However, don’t guilt yourself if you don’t have cash on you or if the service was bad.

How Much do you Tip in Paris?

A tip in France is called a pourboire, literally “for drinking“. And this gives already away how much you should tip.

Because there is no set amount or percentage of how much you should be tipping in Paris. Even modest tips are acceptable and, of course, appreciated.

However, refrain from leaving copper coins. It’s easily perceived as insulting or condescending.

As a rule of thumb, leave 5%, and you can’t do anything wrong.

A tip of 15%, 20% or even 25% is very much of an overkill in France. It is just not a thing to tip that much. Most Parisians simply round up or leave €2-€3 per person on the table for dinners in casual restaurants.

But don’t overthink it. If you are dining out in a group of 4 and 2 of you don’t have change, that’s perfectly fine.

If your experience was outstanding and the service excellent, with staff that went out of their way for you, feel free to leave up to 10%.

However, there are is an exception to this rule: fine dining

If you eat in a fine dining restaurant or are even lucky enough to get a table in a Michelin Star Restaurant, you are expected to tip. 5%-15% are appropriate.

How do you tip in Paris?

The most common way to tip in France is simply to leave a few coins on the table when leaving. If you have no spare coins on you, then don’t tip and that’s fine. This counts for cafés, bars and casual restaurants.

Just make sure not to simply empty your wallet and leave all the copper coins, that’s insanely rude.

Tipping by Credit Card

Since quite recently, it has become more and more common to add the tip to your credit card. You won’t find a menu for that on the machine, though. Nor a dedicated line on your bill. Just tell the waiter what amount you wish to pay, and they lock the amount in.

I know that many sources on the internet state that you can’t tip by credit card. I don’t find that to be true, and during the past year, my husband and I often tipped like that.

However, it’s for me only an option if I liked the service and don’t have cash on me. Because you never know how much of that tip the server really sees. But I figure it’s better than not tipping good service at all.

Here’s how I tip in Paris

Everyone’s take on how to tip in Paris is a bit different, I get that. There’s no rule, no unspoken expectation, and of course, everyone has a different take on how to treat service staff.

Personally, I like to leave a tip and I do it whenever possible.

I worked in customer service for years, and I know a thing or two about the s*** you have to take in those jobs. It’s hard. I simply don’t want to be part of the problem, and rather be nice and show my gratitude and appreciation by leaving a small tip.

So, here’s what I do: I leave coins on the table whenever I have coins on me. It’s usually €1 minimum, and €3 at max, when eating alone.

When I am eating out with my husband in a midrange restaurant, we typically leave around €5.

A few examples for your cheat sheet:

Paris Tipping: Scams & Frauds

I hate to admit it, but if you are eating or taking a drink in a bar or restaurant close to sights and mostly frequented by tourists, you have to watch out.

I heard all too often reports about waiters asking downright the patrons how much tip they want to add to their bill. Especially when the guest is from the US, as they know about the generous American tipping culture.

Most will just pay and, at best, shrug it off. But many feel taken advantage off, and rightly so.

It even happens that the waiter tries to make the guest believe that tipping in France is customary and that it’s expected. IT.IS.NOT! It is actually illegal according to French law to request a tip.

Tipping is not obligatory, expected or customary but absolutely up to your discretion. Don’t let anyone pressure you in leaving a tip.

10% TVA – is it a Scam?

I see rather frequently on Facebook and other social media pages that visitors feel scammed because of a byline on their bill stating 10% TVA included. Or even 20% TVA included. (TVA: Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée, or Value Added Tax)

It’s easy to believe that this is a tip that was automatically added to their bill. Hence, they feel scammed. But TVA it is not a scam.

10% TVA is a consumption tax that is paid by the restaurant to the French state for the meals that were consumed in their establishment.

20% TVA is the consumption tax that is paid for consumed alcoholic beverages.

Both are already included on the price that you see on the menu. They are not added to your bill on top of the price of your food item.

But the restaurant is obliged to state on the bill the amount of tax they are declaring to the fiscals. Not all do it, though.

Tipping Culture in Paris: Taxis

However, bars and restaurants in Paris are not the only place where you might wonder if you need to leave a tip.

When visiting Paris, you might want to opt for traveling in a taxi from time to time. And here we come back to the old question: Tipping taxis drivers in Paris, yes or no?

You can tip them and they certainly appreciate it. But here, as well, you don’t have to. Personally, I make it depending on two things:

1. The lengths of the ride. If it’s a quick 10-minute ride, I usually don’t tip more than simply rounding up to the next € to avoid hassle with change.
2. If there is something extra: nice driver, helpful, making respectful conversation, providing a cable to charge my phone, a longer ride etc. I might add a tip of €2 or round up.

For a long ride from the airport to Paris and with gate pick-up, it happened that I gave a particularly pleasant driver €10. But this is really an exception.

With Uber and G7 you can easily add the tip through the app, if you don’t have change on you.

Tipping Tour Guides, Concierges & Hotel Staff

When it comes to tipping hotel staff and tour guides in Paris, we slightly move away from the rule that tipping is not expected. Because it somewhat is.

However, tipping is still not obligatory and up to your discretion. Don’t feel pressured into tipping if you are not satisfied with the service or the tour.

Tipping Tour Guides in Paris

However, if you are happy with your tour guide, show your gratitude by leaving a tip. You are not expected to tip overly much, though. A usual tip for a tour guides would be 5% – 10% of the tour price per person.

If you are joining a free tour in Paris, your tip is the only salary your tour guide makes. Consider €5 to €20 per person, if you enjoyed it.

Tipping Hotel Staff in Paris

The Concierge at your hotel was extremely helpful? Thank them with a pourboire.

Depending on what they did to facilitate your stay and the price range of your hotel, give accordingly. Personally, I wouldn’t start below €5, yet, I often stay in lower midrange hotels. Give more if their service was great.

It is also customary to leave a small tip for housekeeping, and bellhops. Consider €1 to €2 per day, service, or bag.

Voilà, know you know how locals handle the tipping in Paris. Tipping service staff, drivers, and waiters is greatly appreciated and, in my opinion, recommended, but absolutely not obligatory.

Don’t get pressured into tipping and, most important, don’t feel guilty if you don’t leave a tip as high as you would do at home. 5% is always enough.

I have lived in Paris since 2005, and I am happy to show you around. Join me on Facebook for updates and news about Paris.

FAQ Tipping in Paris