Tipping in Paris: A Traveler's Guide to Tip Like a Local

Do You Tip in Paris?

In France, tipping is optional. Service workers, including waitstaff, taxi drivers, and hotel employees, earn a minimum living wage with benefits such as health care and paid vacations. This means they do not rely on tips for their income. A service charge is already included in your bill as part of the price of each item—typically noted as “service compris” at the bottom of the menu—so tipping (gratuities or “pourboire” in french) becomes more of a gesture of appreciation rather than a requirement.

You should also note that VAT (“TVA” in french) is already included in the menu price and varies between food and alcool beverages for example.

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When and How Much Should You Tip?

While tipping isn’t obligatory, you might want to leave a little extra if you had great service. The amount depends on the type of service. Here's a breakdown of common tipping scenarios:

Restaurants and Cafés

• For a casual café or bar, rounding up to the nearest euro is appreciated.
• In a restaurant, leaving €2-€3 per person is common. For a finer dining experience, consider €5-€10 per person, but never feel pressured to leave 15-20% like in the U.S.
• If you enjoyed an excellent meal at a Michelin-star restaurant, tipping up to €20 per person is considered generous. However, most Parisians typically leave €5-10 even at such places.

Hotels

• Bellhops and Doormen: Tip €1-2 per bag.
• Housekeeping: Leave €2-4 per day. You can pass on the money directly or sometimes leave it in an envelope in the room or at the reception desk.
• Concierge: For special services, tipping between €10-30 is appropriate, particularly if they’ve helped with something extraordinary, like securing hard-to-get reservations or recommending the best tour guide, and setting up your experience will deserves a larger tip.

Taxis and Ride Shares

• Tipping is optional. Simply round up the fare to the nearest euro unless your taxi driver made extra stops or loaded heavy luggage.
• For Uber, use the app to leave a small gratuity if you had a good experience.

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What About Tipping Tour Guides and Private Chauffeurs?

• If you're on a free walking tour, a tip of €5-10 per person is the norm since the guides often work primarily for tips.
• For a private tour guide or driver, tipping €20-50 per day is considered average, depending on the service.
• For a private car service, such as a pre-booked airport transfer or full-day car tour, you could tip €20-40.

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Cash or Card for Tipping?

In Paris, it's best to tip in cash. While some places now allow tips via credit card, it’s more common to leave coins or bills directly. Be prepared by carrying small denominations of euros, especially for smaller tips like in cafés and taxis.

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Is Not Tipping Rude in Paris?

Absolutely not. In fact, leaving nothing is perfectly fine if the service was mediocre. However, a modest tip is always appreciated, especially if you received great service. Parisians tend to leave small amounts, not percentages, like in the U.S, so don't feel obligated to tip large sums.

On the other hand, leaving coins like 5 or 10 centimes can be seen as insulting. It’s better to leave a slightly larger amount or nothing at all rather than small change.

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Key Takeaways on Tipping in Paris

• Tipping is optional, not mandatory.
• A service charge is included in all restaurant bills but not gratuities.
• Leave a small tip of €2-5, or round up the bill in casual settings.
• For finer dining or exceptional service, consider €5-10.
• Always tip in cash when possible.

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Whether you’re dining at a charming café or staying at a luxury hotel, remember: tipping in Paris is a sign of appreciation, not an obligation. A little goes a long way, and your small gesture will be welcomed by the hardworking people who make your Paris experience unforgettable.