Restaurants: what “service compris” means
French menus often say prix service compris or prix nets, and it’s more than small print: since 1987, restaurants have had to include service in the prices they display. The figure traditionally built in is around 15%, although the law doesn’t fix a rate. So unlike in the UK, you won’t normally find a service charge added to your bill.
The French still tip – the pourboire – just far more modestly than Americans:
- Bistro, brasserie or set lunch: leave the change, or €1–2 per person.
- A good restaurant with attentive service: around 5%.
- Fine dining or truly exceptional service: up to 10%.
Leaving nothing isn’t rude in France. Leaving 20% out of habit won’t offend anyone either, but it’s far more than locals would give.
Cafés and bars
Nobody expects a tip for a café crème at the counter or a glass of wine on a terrace. Leaving a few coins on the little saucer with the bill, or rounding up to the next euro, is plenty – €3.60 becomes €4.
Taxis, Uber and Bolt
Round up the fare or add €1–2, particularly if the driver loads and unloads your bags. Some guidebooks suggest 10%; that’s generous rather than expected. With Uber, Bolt and similar apps, you can add a tip in the app after the ride, but there’s no obligation.
Hotels
Hotel tips in France are small flat amounts, not percentages:
- Porters: €1–2 per bag.
- Housekeeping: €1.50–5 a night depending on the hotel – leave a short note so it’s clear who it’s for.
- Concierge: only for real help, such as landing a hard-to-get table; then €5–20.
Tour guides
On group tours of Paris, Lyon or the Loire châteaux, €2–5 per person is a friendly thank-you. There’s no fixed rule for private guides; if you’re happy, around 5–10% of the price is appreciated. Free walking tours are different: the tip is how the guide gets paid, so €5–10 per person is fair.
Tipping by card in France
The French pay by card for almost everything, even a coffee. Some newer terminals offer a tip screen before you pay, but many don’t – and once the payment has gone through, you usually can’t add a tip. So either tell the server the amount you’d like to pay before they run your card, or leave the tip in cash on the table.
Handy phrases: “Gardez la monnaie” (keep the change) and “L’addition, s’il vous plaît” (the bill, please).
Worked example: dinner in Paris
Four friends, a bill of €86.40:
| Tip | Amount | Total | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round up | €3.60 | €90.00 | €22.50 |
| 5% | €4.32 | €90.72 | €22.68 |
| 10% | €8.64 | €95.04 | €23.76 |
Most French diners would simply round up to €90 here. Try your own bill in the calculator above – “Round total” picks a round figure for you.
Sources
Last reviewed: . Based on official tourism boards, laws and public authorities, consumer organisations, and established travel guides and media. Tipping is always voluntary – all figures are guidelines.
- Légifrance: order of 27 March 1987 on price display in restaurants (“prix service compris”) legifrance.gouv.fr
- francenum.gouv.fr (French government): tipping by card francenum.gouv.fr
- France.fr (official tourism site): money in France france.fr
- AFAR: when and how much to tip in France afar.com
- Rick Steves: Tipping in Europe (travel guide) ricksteves.com
