The tap water is perfectly fine to drink in France. In a restaurant or cafe, order a carafe of tap water ( une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plait). No need to pay €3-6 for bottled water. Watch the locals-that's what they do!
Posted by
Tigard, OR, USA
1068 posts
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1631 posts
Exactly. The wait staff is happy to bring you a carafe of water to go with your meal. Love France!
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
6370 posts
Someone else is now Mayor of Paris, but when I insisted years ago, a good-humored waiter nodded and said, "Chateau Chirac?"
Posted by
4107 posts
Yes tap water is always free in France and the UK. No where else in Europe as far as I know.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5030 posts
Note that regarding England, Wales and Scotland, tap water is required only to be free where an establishment sells alcohol. However, they may charge for the glass and service (though few do).