Tipping can be a cultural minefield, with customs varying widely from one country to another. If you are coming to France, understanding the etiquette around tipping is essential to avoid any cultural faux-pas.
In Restaurants
In short, you do not have to tip in restaurants in France. It is presumed that the legal wage received by the server covers the cost of living. Tipping is not as ingrained in French culture as it might be in other countries, such as the United States.
You might notice “service compris” or “service inclus” on your bill, indicating that the service charge is already included. In this case, leaving an additional tip is not necessary.
However, if you’re particularly pleased with the service, rounding up the bill or leaving a few extra euros is a gesture of appreciation.
- pourboire – tip
If the service charge isn’t included, leaving a tip, known as “le pourboire,” is discretionary. A tip of around 5% to 10% of the total bill is considered generous in most situations. However, there’s no obligation to tip if the service was poor or unsatisfactory.
Calculating the Tip: Unlike in some other countries where tips are calculated as a % of the bill on a machine, this is not usually the case in France. Instead it’s customary to round up or leave a couple of euros in cash when paying the bill.
If paying by credit card, you may have to ask to include in the credit card amount when settling up, as the machine may not have a button for % markup.
Tipping in Cafés and Bars
When grabbing a coffee or a drink at a café or bar in France, tipping is less common but still appreciated for exceptional service. A few basics
- Table service vs. Counter service: If you’re seated at a table and a server takes your order, a small tip of 1 euro is a nice gesture. However, if you’re standing at the bar and order directly from the bartender, tipping is less expected.
- Round up the bill: If you’re paying for your order at the counter, rounding up the bill to the nearest euro is a simple way to show appreciation for good service. (Note, the price you pay at the counter may also be less than if you are seated.)
Other Tipping Situations
In other situations, tipping may also be appropriate:
- Taxi rides: While it’s not customary to tip taxi drivers in France, rounding up the fare is a common practice. If the service was exceptional or the driver went out of their way to assist you, adding a couple of euros as a tip is appreciated.
- Hotel staff: Tipping hotel staff, such as housekeepers and concierges, is not mandatory in France. However, leaving a small tip for exceptional service, such as carrying luggage to your room or arranging special requests, is a thoughtful gesture.
- Hairdressers: The French don’t usually tip each person at the hair salon but may round up their bill. If it is the salon owner providing all the server, a tip is not necessary.
- Tour guides: Tipping is not necessary, but a few euros may be given as a gesture of goodwill.
American-style tipping
If you have a North American accent (like I do), you may notice the “American tax” on tipping, while in France.
French servers and hospitality employees have gotten used to Americans tipping 20-25% as they do in their home country, and so will try to mention tips in order to get the same.
A tour guide speaking French to visitors will rarely expect a tip, while a tour guide serving American and British tourists may actively ask for one. However, tipping is not required, and indeed not a cultural norm in France.
