Who to tip in France
| Situation | Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | €2–€5, or 5% | Service is included. Leave cash on the table for good service; nothing is required. |
| Café / bistro | €0.50–€1 | Leave the coins from your change on the saucer. |
| Bar | €1 per round | Optional. More common in cocktail bars than in a neighborhood café. |
| Taxi | Round up, or 5% | €1–€2 for a normal ride. Add €1 per bag for luggage help. |
| Food delivery | €1–€2 | Optional in-app or in cash at the door. |
| Hairdresser | €2–€5 | Optional. Common at higher-end salons, rare at neighborhood ones. |
| Tour guide | €5–€10 per person | For a half-day group tour. More for private guiding. |
| Boulangerie | Nothing | Counter service is never tipped. |
Sourced guidanceCustomary amounts in FranceLast verified Aug 5, 2026Source: European Consumer Centre France, Service Included: Pricing Rules for Restaurants
How tipping works in France
France settled the tipping question by law. Since 1987, menu prices must include service, which is why you will see service compris or prix nets on the menu or the bill. Waiting staff earn at least the SMIC minimum wage, and being a server in France is a stable job rather than a tip-dependent one.
What remains is the pourboire — literally 'for a drink' — a small voluntary thank-you. A couple of euros left on the table after lunch, €5 after a good dinner, a coin on the café counter. It is a gesture of appreciation for a specific person, not a calculation.
Card terminals in France increasingly offer a tip prompt, but cash on the table is still the norm and the only way to be sure the server keeps it. Tips left in cash have been exempt from income tax and social contributions under a measure that has been repeatedly extended, which is another reason staff prefer them.
Service charge rules
Legally mandatory and already in the price. French law requires displayed prices to be service compris (service included), so there is no separate 10–15% line to watch for. If you see 'prix nets' it means the same thing. A separate service charge added on top of an inclusive price is not permitted.
Official dataPricing and service-charge rules in FranceLast verified Aug 5, 2026Source: Condé Nast Traveler, Tipping Etiquette Around the World
Hotel tipping in France
| Hotel role | Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Housekeeping | €1–€2 per night | Cash in the room. Optional, and more common at 4–5 star properties. |
| Bellhop / porter | €1–€2 per bag | Cash at hand-off. |
| Concierge | €5–€20 | Only for real effort. A Clefs d'Or concierge who lands a hard reservation earns the top of that range. |
| Room service | €1–€3 | Service is normally included in the price already. |
| Doorman | €1–€2 | For a taxi or luggage. |
Sourced guidanceHotel norms in FranceLast verified Aug 5, 2026Source: European Consumer Centre France, Service Included: Pricing Rules for Restaurants
Comparing with the US? See the full hotel tipping guide.
Mistakes visitors make in France
Work out the exact amount
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Tipping in France: FAQ
Tipping in other countries
Sources
- Service Included: Pricing Rules for Restaurants — European Consumer Centre France
- Tipping Etiquette Around the World — Condé Nast Traveler
See our methodology for how we research and update tipping guidance.
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