Did you know you can save over €10 on drinks just by knowing one French phrase? In Paris, tap water is safe, delicious, and legally free in every restaurant. Yet, many tourists get tricked into buying expensive bottled water because they don’t know how to ask. Here is the exact sentence to order free water like a local, and how to avoid the dreaded ‘still or sparkling’ tourist trap.
Contents
- 1 Is tap water free in Paris restaurants? (The Laws)
- 2 How to ask for tap water in French? (The phrase)
- 3 Is Paris tap water safe to drink?
- 4 Is Paris tap water safe for pregnant women?
- 5 Is it rude or common to order free tap water in Paris?
- 6 Does Paris tap water taste good? (Chlorine & taste)
- 7 Is Paris tap water hard? (Limestone & hair- skin care)
- 8 Tap water in Paris: what are your experiences?
- 9 Follow Trésors de Paris
Is tap water free in Paris restaurants? (The Laws)
Yes! By law, in Paris, restaurants must offer free tap water, ensuring that safe drinking water is available for everyone. Read below how to order free tapwater.
But what is this good news for your wallet based on?
Three laws in France require restaurants to provide free tap water. If you know them, you won’t get fooled. (Safe this post!)
Since 2022, new legislation encourages establishments to choose tap water over bottled water, contributing to environmental goals.
The ‘Code de la Santé Publiqu’ (Public Health Code) mandates that businesses in the hospitality industry make drinkable water available in the interest of public health. This way everyone has access to safe drinking water. Additionally, the ‘Code de la Consommation’ (Consumer Code) states that restaurants must provide customers with a carafe of tap water (carafe d’eau) free of charge if they request it. This means you don’t have to pay for tap water with your meal.
But … you have to order it the right way. I’ll explain how.
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How to ask for tap water in French? (The phrase)
To order free tap water, simply say: ‘Une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît‘” and this is why.
If you’re in a restaurant and want to ask for tap water, don’t ask a bottle of water! But say: “Une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît,” or “je vais prendre une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît”. This way you get it for free.
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“Une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît“
Phonetically: yn ka.ʁaf do sil vu plɛ
une → /yn/
carafe → /ka.ʁaf/
d’eau → /do/
s’il vous plaît → /sil vu plɛ/
If you only order a cup of coffee you could ask for a glass of water: “Un verre d’eau, s’il vous plaît”. Always start a conversation with a “bonjour”; it’s really an important point here. Like it should be nice in any culture, I think
Is Paris tap water safe to drink?
Yes, the tap water in Paris is of excellent quality and comes from various sources, such as groundwater and surface water from rivers like the Seine and the Marne. An extensive purification process filters and tests this water for purity, making it safe and delicious to drink. But to be honest, I’ve also noticed that the taste can vary.
Is Paris tap water safe for pregnant women?
Yes, absolutely. According to Eau de Paris, the city’s official water provider, Paris tap water is strictly tested and perfectly safe for everyone to drink, including pregnant women, infants, and the elderly. It meets high European safety standards and poses no health risks.
While tap water is safe, you will notice that many French doctors and locals recommend bottled water brand Mont Roucous for pregnant women. This is not because tap water is “dirty,” but because Mont Roucous is extremely low in minerals (weakly mineralized). This is believed to be lighter on the kidneys for both mother and baby. If you want to drink like a local mom-to-be, you can buy this pink-labeled bottle at any supermarket for only around € 0,55. Otherwise, a carafe of tap water is perfectly fine!
Is it rude or common to order free tap water in Paris?
No, in Parisian restaurants, it’s common to order a glass of water. In touristic areas you have to ask for it, but restaurants for locals often serve water without asking, for example with your coffee. But sometimes it’s even poured for people in the group who aren’t ordering anything, but personally, I don’t think that’s entirely fair. The restaurateur has to make a profit too, so it seems better to order something else as well.
If you like to spice up your water, you could ask to add some ice cubes, lemon or mint. Of course, this will be billed.
Does Paris tap water taste good? (Chlorine & taste)
It depends where and when. If you hope the tap water in Paris will taste like wine, unfortunately…
In the dozens of apartments where I have lived, I’ve experienced significant differences in the taste of tap water. The higher the floor, the warmer the water often is, and in older buildings with lead or copper pipes, the water can sometimes have a musty or metallic taste. Maintaining those pipes is essential; if it’s not done well, it affects the taste of the water.
In short, if you’re renting or even buying an apartment for a long time, it’s not a bad idea to try a glass of water. After all, you drink 1.5 liters a day. And if you find yourself in a nice restaurant but the water tastes like a poorly set up aquarium, that’s not exactly a winning strategy.
Read more about living in Paris: Why Parisian apartments are cold
Is Paris tap water hard? (Limestone & hair- skin care)
Yes, and this is what helps. Another aspect is the high limestone content in the Parisian tap water. You can taste the limestone, and it’s not only bad for the flavor but also for your skin and hair. Our hair just breaks off.
In Paris, people often use bottles of vinegar in large quantities, both in the bathroom and kitchen. Vinegar not only helps tackle limestone problems but is also used as a cleaning agent in sprays and even in disposable wipes.
Wash your face and hair with bottle water.
Tap water in Paris: what are your experiences?
What are your experiences with tap water in Paris? Or do you have tips or questions?
Let me know in the comments.
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