Do You Need to Tip in Paris? Here's What Travelers Should Know

Many travelers wonder whether they should leave a tip when visiting Paris, France. According to Condé Nast Traveler, tipping is not required there, and that holds true even at the best restaurants in the city.

In France, service charges are usually built into the final bill. Many traditional brasseries in Paris write "service compris" on the bill, which means the service charge is already included. Hospitality staff in France are salaried employees, so tips are seen as an extra gesture of appreciation rather than part of what workers are expected to earn.

This is quite different from the United States, where employers can pay service workers a lower base wage under federal and state labor laws. Because of this, American visitors may be used to tipping more often.

Tipping at restaurants in France has become more common in recent years, especially for leisurely lunches or dinners with good service. In cafés in Paris, it is common to round the tip up to the next whole figure of the bill.

Hotels follow a similar pattern. Tipping is not mandatory at hotels in Paris, but some hotels may add a voluntary service charge to the room bill. Mark Bonte, a Frenchman who runs French Side Travel, suggests tipping two to five euros for a porter or bellhop and a few euros per day for housekeeping.

For drivers and spa visits, Bonte offers some guidance too. He suggests giving around 20 to 30 euros per day to a private driver providing a full-day service, and around 10 to 20 euros to a spa therapist after an excellent treatment. Camilla Davidson, head of destination management for France, UK, and Ireland at Red Savannah, describes a 50-euro daily tip to a private driver or chauffeur as very generous.

According to the same guidance, waiters in France who are part of official governing bodies cannot have their wages made up by gratuities. Visitors who know these simple rules can plan their spending with confidence.