Maintaining a supply of drinking water in Paris.

No shortage of water options, both carbonated and flat. Swing by a grocery store and grab a couple of the giant multi-litre bottles. If ordering somewhere, just order mineral water without gas and you'll get flat water.

Why not just drink tap water? You can get a carafe of ice water at any restaurant or cafe' in Paris when you order food and it is free. I don't understand paying for something that you can have for free and that is just as good.

I'm with Jo. I drink tap water all across western Europe. I find it a real pain to have to drink bottled water in countries where the water isn't safe, but you certainly don't have that problem in France.

Bottled water, flat or with bubbles, has been everywhere, and in every grocery store since I grew up in Paris in the early 60's.

bottled water was everywhere in France long before it became a fad in USA. You cant avoid it. I am with Jo and drink the local tap water (or wine or beer if I have an excuse)

Just look for a Carrefour, Franprix or Monop' to buy your large bottles of water. And be sure to read the threads about finding toilets in Paris (and the rest of France). You may want to think twice about drinking all that water!

Agree with others about tap water. Why carry around heavy water. I even found that my Nalgene bottle tended to get pretty heavy as the day wore on, but I like water lots too and drink it throughout the day. I would fill up at breakfast at the place we ate or in hotel, filled it up again mid-morning at the sightseeing location we were, filled it up at the cafe at lunch (and drank lots of water with lunch), and that got me through until our afternoon coffee/hot chocolate/pastry session. And then lots with dinner at the place you are eating. You could always carry two Nalgene bottles with you.

There are public water fountains all over Paris. Perfectly good water from decorative iron sculptures. You can refill your bottle from them. Look for the Wikipedia article on Wallace Fountains.

Get a camal pack, they carry gallons comfortably on your back, with a little sippy straw built in, any army/navy will have them. Or buy bottled water for€1 from the street kids. Check that the seal hasn't been broken though. Or as above use a public fountain.

I'm picky about my water but I have to say, Paris tap water is awesome. The only time I pass up the tap stuff there is if they have Badoit on the menu. Even if you don't like the bubbles, try that one.

If you do need to get cheap bottle of water in Paris it's always best to go to the back of the store where the bottled drinks and water bottles are located. They are much cheaper than the refrigerated ones at the front of the store (unless you demand cold water). Even on the Champs Elysees, I got bottled water at Monoprix for under 1 EUR. Also, as many have said, the water in France is totally potable. If you're at a restaurant order "une carafe d'eau" (eeewn care-aff doe)---that way they won't bring you a bottle of water that you'll have to pay for since it's obligatory for them to not charge for tap water. Have a great time!

Thanks to all for the information. Good to know other picky water drinkers have found the tap water tasty. I will take your collective advise and fill-up at restaurants and head to the back of the store for the warm but cheaper water for my stockpile at the hotel. Heading to Paris tomorrow and very much looking forward to it (and will be well hydrated without much hassle)! Thanks again!

Have a great trip, Heather, and tell us all about it when you get back!

Heather - Glad you won't be afraid to drink the tap water. IME, most restaurants will not provide a refill of tap water (you can ask, but they never come back with it) so don't be surprised if you aren't able to fill your water bottle at a restaurant. And Le and anyone else reading this - it's "8 à Huit"