Tipping in France: What American Tourists Need to Know

If you’re visiting France—especially Paris—you might be wondering about tipping. The rules are quite different from the United States, and understanding them will help you avoid confusion (and overpaying).

Tipping is not expected or required
Unlike in the U.S., tipping in France is not automatic and not required. In restaurants, servers receive a regular salary, so they do not rely on tips to make a living.
In addition, service is already included in the bill (“service compris”), and taxes are included as well. This means you are already paying for the service when you pay your check.
What do people usually do?If the service was good, it is common to round up the bill, but only by a small amount.
For example:

• If your bill is €37.80, you might leave €40
• If your coffee costs €1.80, you might leave €2

These are small tips, not percentages like in the U.S.
New tipping prompts on card machinesSince the Olympic Games, some restaurants—especially in tourist areas in Paris—have started adding tipping options on credit card machines, with percentages like 5%, 10%, 15%, or even 20%.
It’s important to know:

• This is not standard in France
• You are not expected to choose one of these options
• Leaving more than 10% would be considered very high by French standards

Most French people would not tip that much.
Be aware of misleading informationSome tourists have reported being told that “tipping is not included” or that it is expected.
This is not true.
Tipping is never mandatory in France, and it is not legal to require a tip. If this happens, you can politely decline. You can also mention that you are aware of the law.
What about taxis and tour guides?The same general idea applies:

• You can round up the fare for a taxi
• You can leave a few euros for a tour guide if you wish

But again, these are small amounts, and you should never feel pressured to give more.

In France, tipping is a gesture of appreciation, not an obligation. A few euros is more than enough to say “thank you.”
Enjoy your trip to France 🇫🇷