🇫🇷 Tipping in France
Tipping appreciatedIn France, restaurant and café prices include a 15% service component by law, which is one reason additional tipping is not automatic. Many locals only round up or leave a few extra euros for particularly attentive service, especially in Paris bistros or brasseries. You are not expected to calculate a large percentage the way you might in North America. If service has been special, a modest cash amount left on the table is both polite and typical.
Service is usually included in France
French law requires a 15% service charge (service compris) to be included in restaurant bills. An extra tip is not expected but leaving a few euros for exceptional service is always appreciated.
When to tip
Consider a few euros for strong restaurant or café service; hotel porters and housekeepers; and private or day guides when you are happy with the experience. Check “service compris” on the bill so you are not double-paying in your mind.
Where & how much
| Venue / service | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 0–5% | Service compris already on the bill. |
| Cafés / bistros | Round up | Leave coins on the table. |
| Taxis | Round up | Not expected but polite. |
| Hotels | €1–2/night | For housekeeping, optional. |
| Tour guides | €5–10 | Appreciated for good tours. |
Work out a tip in euros
Enter the bill in € — the local currency for France.
Service quality
People
Each person pays
€0.00
- Tip amount
- €0.00
- Tip per person
- €0.00
- Total bill
- €0.00
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Get Wise free →Frequently asked questions about tipping in France
What does "service compris" mean in France?
It means service is included — a 15% charge is legally required to be built into all French restaurant prices. You're already paying for service every time you eat out. Any additional tip is entirely voluntary.
Should I tip at a café in Paris?
Leaving your small change (centimes) on the table is perfectly normal and appreciated. Anything more than rounding up is unusual at a café — save the larger gesture for a special dinner where service genuinely impressed you.
Do French people tip at restaurants?
Occasionally, and modestly. Leaving €2–5 for a good meal is common among locals. Large percentage tips are seen as unusual — the French view tipping as a genuine gesture of appreciation, not an obligation.