I am currently in Paris and on the bill at two restaurants, it did not state "Service Compris" as it usually does. At the second restaurant, I asked the waiter if the service was included and he said it did not. I thought that all bills included service. What I did notice new is the TVA is split out on the bill but still included in the total. No indication of service charge. Anyone else familiar with this or am I being scammed by the waiter? It has been two years since I was last in Paris.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
I've heard that it's the law in France that service is included in the bill, but that sometimes waiters will say it is not.
I too would like to have a definitive answer about this.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10621 posts
I doubt anything has changed in two years, even if it's not printed. From wikipedia.fr--(ok, I know I should be citing Britannica, but Wikipedia was easiest):
"À savoir : tout le service (personnel et les couverts) est compris dans la note. "
Were you in a major tourist area?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33820 posts
As far as I remember, the tax TVA has always been spelled out as part of the total; at least at the simple places I go to.
Posted by
Cherry Hill, NJ, USA
74 posts
I just got back from Paris. The TVA was split out, and not just on my restaurant bills; it was also that way on the receipt for a scarf I bought for a friend.
I may be wrong, but I do not think that service compris is required. I did not encounter a restaurant, though, without it.
Posted by
Paris, France
7 posts
Being French, I can testify that service IS ALWAYS included by law in restaurants or cafes, no matter if it's written on the bill or not. There is not one single place in France it could go otherwise.
If a waiter says it's not, he might have misunderstood and speak actually of tipping. Or he might simply try to rip you off ( not very common in France fortunately, but may happen in Paris... ).
The TVA or VAT has to be split out and clearly expressed on any bill or invoice( since there are various % in France ). Nothing to fear about it, what matters is the total amount. You may care for VAT if you purchase goods and want a tax refund at the airport.
Posted by
Paris
83 posts
Service is always included. If your waiter tells you that service is not included, I suspect you are in a restaurant frequented by foreigners. In that case, leave nothing extra; usually people who live here leave either nothing extra or round up the bill if the service was exceptional.
Btw, the TVA is divided because some items are taxed at a higher rate (alcohol, for example) than other items (food).
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
Merci, Charlie!