Tipping guide

Tipping in France

By law, French bills include service — that is what service compris means. Tipping is therefore genuinely optional, and the small amount you leave is called a pourboire, literally 'for a drink'.

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Tipping in France at a glance

Service is already included — extras are small and optional

  • Restaurant (sit-down)
    5-10%
  • Cafe / Bar
    Round up
  • Taxi / Rideshare
    Round up
  • Food delivery
    Round up
  • Tour guide / Driver
    5-10%
  • Spa / Salon / Barber
    5-10%
  • Hotel housekeeping
    €1.50 per night
  • Hotel porter / Bellhop
    €1.00 per bag
  • Valet parking
    €2.00 per car
  • Hotel concierge
    €5.00 per request

The bill already covers service, so locals often leave nothing or just the coins. A few euros for a good meal is generous, not expected.

"Service compris" is required by law, so service is already in the menu price. Leaving a couple of euros, or 5% after a long dinner, is a compliment rather than an obligation.

Rates shown are typical amounts, converted to local currency at approximately 27 Aug 2026. Tipping customs evolve and vary from region to region, so treat this as your best starting point rather than a hard rule. Where a bill already shows a service charge, that is usually the tip.

Common questions

Do you tip in France?

Only lightly. A euro or two after lunch, 5% after a long dinner, or the coins from your change at a cafe. Nobody expects a percentage.

What does service compris mean on my bill?

That a service charge is already built into the listed prices, as French law requires. It is not an extra line you can decline — it is baked into what you already agreed to pay.

Do you tip taxi drivers in Paris?

Rounding up to the next euro or two is the norm. Drivers who load heavy bags into the boot reasonably expect a euro or so for it.

International tipping guides by country

Open the free online tipping calculator — or read the guidance for another destination.