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Tipping in France

Not expectedEUR (€)Tips: cash preferred

Here's the tip.

Service is already included by law. Tipping is a bonus.

French menus and bills are legally required to be service compris, service included. Staff are salaried and do not depend on tips. Leaving small change or a few euros after a good meal is a normal courtesy, but there is no percentage you are expected to hit.

At a glance

Card tipping. Card terminals in France almost never prompt for a tip. If you want to leave one, use cash.

  • Service compris means the service charge is built into the listed prices, not added at the end.
  • A pourboire, literally 'for a drink', is a small extra, not a calculated percentage.

Tip calculator

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FRANCE

The tipping cheat sheet

  • RestaurantsRound up, or 5–10%
  • CafésLeave the coins
  • BarsRound up
  • TaxisRound up
  • Hotel porters€1–2 per bag
  • Housekeeping€1–5 per day

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Things to do in France

Where are you actually going? These are the best rated in each place.

ParisFamily Friendly Louvre Museum Private Guided Tour5.0·317 reviews·from €367.65NiceThe Original Exclusive Luxury Private Boat Tour Nice/Monaco5.0·140 reviews·from €450MarseillePrivate Full Day Wine Tour in Provence From Marseille cruise port5.0·36 reviews·from €450BordeauxMédoc : Food and Wine Day Tour5.0·44 reviews·from €189

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Travelling in France?

Stay connectedGet an eSIM before you land so you can check fares, maps and this guide without roaming charges.View eSIM plansAirport transfersBook a fixed-price transfer in advance and skip the taxi-rank negotiation.Book a transfer

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Common questions

Do you tip in France?
Service is already included by law. Tipping is a bonus. French menus and bills are legally required to be service compris, service included. Staff are salaried and do not depend on tips. Leaving small change or a few euros after a good meal is a normal courtesy, but there is no percentage you are expected to hit.
How much do you tip at a restaurant in France?
Round up, or 5–10%. Nothing is required. A euro or two, or 5–10% if it was excellent.
Can you tip by card in France?
Card terminals in France almost never prompt for a tip. If you want to leave one, use cash.

Reviewed by Greg Kockott on 3 September 2026.

Figures checked against the sources below on 4 September 2026.

Sources