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Private 1day tour in France countryside - tiping?

Well I know it's good form to tip for good service. I have a question, how much do you tip a sole proprietor tour guide for a one day tour through the French countryside.

I am looking for some comments on this.. We prepayed for a tour, 550euro for a full day ... they are supplying a 6 passenger van, fuel and tolls, and the owners intimate knowledge of the area..... he'll share insights bouth historical and antidotal with us throughout the day. We're on our own for 45 minute lunch, and it's a 8:30 a.m. till 5:30p.m. tour. I don't know what the appropriate and proper tipping percentage would be for this type of service. I seen guided tours on large bus systems, where each person who participated might tip the guide and the driver separately a small amount but this is a different type of tour and I want to be appropriate. Looking forward to some insight Thanks

Posted by
3439 posts

I would tip the guide 55-60 Euros if you are pleased with the tour and the guide's services at the end of the day. We generally tip private or semi-private guides about 10% of the cost of the tour.

Posted by
784 posts

France does not have a tipping culture and since it appears your guide is the owner/operator, a tip probably isn't expected. You are, afterall, paying a hefty price for this tour. You could offer to buy lunch or a drink at the end of the tour.

Posted by
131 posts

Actually in France, it's not "good form" to leave a tip, it's not a tipping culture. I agree with the comments above to offer the guide lunch or a drink afterwards.