Tipping in France
Tipping expectedService Breakdown
Notes by Service
Service is included by law (service compris), but rounding up or leaving €1–5 is appreciated.
€1–2 per night for housekeeping is a kind gesture.
Round up the fare; 5–10% is generous.
10% is a good tip for spa services.
Leave small change on the counter; not strictly expected.
€2–5 for hairdressers is appreciated.
€5–10 per person for guided tours.
A small tip of €1–2 is a nice gesture.
About Tipping in France
Every French restaurant bill legally includes service — "service compris" means the tip is already built in, usually 15%. An additional tip is not expected, but leaving a small amount (rounding up, or €1–5 in cash) for good service is a warm gesture that servers appreciate.
Tipping at restaurants is entirely optional given the mandatory service charge. For taxis, simply round up to the nearest euro or two. Hotel porters, tour guides, and hairdressers all appreciate a small tip but won't be put out if you skip it.
The French way is understated: leave coins or a small bill on the table, or tell the server to keep the change. Handing someone an envelope or making a production of the tip is not the style. In a café, leaving the copper coins from your change on the saucer is perfectly appropriate.
France has a long-standing culture of service as a profession rather than a hustle for gratuity. Servers are salaried employees — often unionised — so the economic pressure to tip that exists in the US simply doesn't apply. That said, as Paris grows more international, service staff are increasingly familiar with and grateful for tips from tourists.