If you’re planning to travel to Paris, there are a few essentials you probably want to know in advance.
One important question is, “Can you drink tap water in Paris?”
I love visiting Paris (it’s my happy place) and I’m happy to tell you that you can indeed safely drink the tap water in Paris.
But there’s a lot more to know about staying hydrated when you’re visiting the City of Light. (For example, did you know there are loads of water fountains around Paris where you can refill your water bottle?)
Ready to learn more tips about the drinking water in Paris France? Lace up your shoes and let’s go!
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Can you drink tap water in Paris France?
Is Paris tap water safe to drink?
Absolutely! The good news is that it’s usually free, too. (That’s great, since I hate having to pay for water when I travel!)
The tap water in Paris is safe for drinking and meets all EU regulations for potable water quality standards.
The word ‘potable’ means drinkable in both English and French.
Don’t drink from any fountain that says ‘eau non potable‘, as that means ‘water not potable’ (water is not safe for drinking).
How does the tap water taste in Paris France?
If you’re used to filtered or bottled water, Paris water probably won’t taste the same.
I personally haven’t noticed any peculiar taste when drinking tap water in Paris.
I’m used to drinking filtered water at home since the tap water in Phoenix does NOT taste good. But the water quality in Europe is quite a bit higher than at home!
You can always filter your own bottled water if you’d rather play it safe and stick with what you’re familiar with.
Anything that makes it more likely that you’ll drink more water and stay hydrated is good! (Especially if you’re walking 20K-30K steps a day when you travel, like I do!)
Do you need a water filter when visiting Paris?
No, you do not need a water filter when visiting Paris. Like many cities in Europe, the tap water is potable and safe to drink.
However, if you want to filter out any impurities or reduce the amount of chlorine present in the water, you can easily purchase a portable pocket-sized water filter. This is especially useful if you’re planning on staying for a longer period of time and want to save some money.
It’s important to remember that the tap water in Paris is generally safe to drink but it may still contain trace amounts of contaminants, so the use of a water filter can be beneficial for your health.
How to order tap water in a restaurant in Paris
I hate having to pay for water at restaurants when I’m traveling the world on vacation — especially when they charge you 6 euros for a bottle of water! (grrr…)
Fortunately, in Paris, you can order tap water for free in any restaurant.
They probably won’t bring you water automatically. But simply ask the waiter for “une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît” which means “a carafe of water, please” in French.
And voila! You’ll get a nice pitcher of free tap water to keep you hydrated while you’re enjoying your meal, or just taking a break from sightseeing.
It certainly does more for hydration than your teeny tiny cup of coffee!
(My husband Chris is always incredulous about how small the coffees are in Europe.
He’ll order a ‘Café allongé‘ to get a drink that is a little more like what you’d get in the US. I think it’s really just the same coffee, but with a little more water in it!)
“True, you can sit outside in Paris and drink little cups of coffee. But why this is more stylish than sitting inside and drinking large glasses of whiskey I don’t know.”
P.J. O’Rourke, quipping one of the funniest sayings about Paris
How to Get Water in Paris
The easiest way to get tap water in Paris is usually via the public fountains, called fontaines.
While you should always take precautions against drinking from a fountain that looks questionable (or where people may have washed their hands or filled up buckets), there are many places where you can get clean, safe tap water.
Use your judgement! If a fountain looks gross or unclean, for goodness’ sake, don’t drink from it!
Bring your own reusable bottle and fill it up at the fountain. That way you don’t have to worry about buying plastic bottles or other containers every time you need a drink of water.
It’s a great way to save money in France, and of course it’s more environmentally friendly.
I like to pack light when I travel in Europe — carry-on only if at all possible! So, I usually don’t pack a reusable bottle since they take up so darn much space!
But I will continue to reuse a water bottle once I get to Europe rather than throw each one away. So that’s still better for the environment.
Public water fountains in Paris
If you’re looking for public fountains in Paris, there are plenty to be found.
The public fountains are maintained by water supply company Eau de Paris, who ensures a safe drinking water quality.
It’s surprisingly easy to find free drinking water in Paris! The best places to look are usually the parks and beautiful gardens of Paris.
We found a short fountain in a small public park near our hotel in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. (That’s the most common model you’ll find, called the ‘Standpipe’.)
You’ll also find plenty of fountains in public squares, or even close to popular Paris tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.
The fountains come in many different styles, some simple and others fancier.
We found this stainless-steel model (the ‘Totem’ model) when we were walking along the banks of the Seine.
It had options for cool water on one side, and sparkling water (eau gazeuse) on the other. (Although the fizzy water wasn’t working that day, so Chris was a little bit disappointed.)
Some versions of the fountains even come with misters to help cool you off on a hot summer day!
(Given the latitude of Paris, you can definitely experience some high temperatures in the summertime! But the nights can get chilly, so be prepared if you’re taking a night tour in Paris.)
Sparkling water fountains in Paris
If you’re looking for a special treat, be sure to check out the ‘fizzy’ water fountains in Paris. These fountains dispense sparkling water to those who thirst for something more than plain tap water Paris fountains offer.
The fizzy water fountains are located in parks and public squares throughout the city. They were introduced as a way to get Parisians to drink more water!
Paris was the first city in France to offer sparkling water fountains, and there are currently 17 fountains where you can refill your bottle with healthy sparkling water.
The fizzy water is carbonated in the fountain itself, so it’s always fresh and bubbly.
I personally don’t like fizzy water, but Chris loves it. (I even got him one of those carbonating machines for Christmas, so he could make his own fizzy water.)
The Wallace Fountains in Paris
Be sure to check out the iconic Wallace Fountains in Paris — the prettiest way to get your drinking water!
These are gorgeous fountains that were given to Paris by an Englishman named Richard Wallace in the late 1800s.
The fountains are made of cast iron and feature beautiful relief sculptures. They’re unique spots to visit on any tour of Paris, so be sure to make a point to find one or two while you’re there!
(There are over 100 of them scattered throughout Paris, and you can even take a walking tour to discover them.)
The most elaborate Wallace Fountains are tall with caryatids (female figures used as support columns). The female figures support the fountain’s dome and represent kindness, simplicity, charity, and sobriety.
Running water flows down from the dome through the middle of the circle of caryatids. So it’s easy to refill your water bottle from a Wallace Fountain.
Even though I’ve visited Paris several times, I’d actually never spotted a Wallace Fountain. On our trip last month, we made a concerted effort to find one (we actually were finally able to find 3 of them!)
They’re painted dark green so they kind of blend into the landscape. So, you’ll need to keep your eyes open to spot them. Here’s one we found, with a bonus view of the Eiffel Tower in the background!
Is it Better to Buy Bottled Water in Paris?
Whether or not you should buy bottled water is up to personal preference.
If the taste of the tap water in Paris isn’t for you, then buying a bottle might be your best option.
The best option from an environmental (and financial) perspective is to carry a refillable bottle with you. Thirsty? Refill it from the fountain!
If you’re concerned about what’s in the tap water, a filter or a bottle with a built-in filter could also be an option. That way, you know that the water you’re drinking is safe.
Drinking water in Paris FAQ
Yes, you can drink Paris tap water.
The water is safe to drink and meets EU standards for potable water. However, it may contain trace amounts of contaminants so if you’re concerned about those, it’s best to filter your own bottled water or use a pocket-sized portable filter when filling up from public fountains.
Yes, you can drink tap water in Disneyland Paris.
You’ll find plenty of fountains around the park, usually near the bathrooms, where you can refill your own water bottle. The tap water in Disney Paris is safe to drink and meets EU standards for potable water.
Yes, Paris restaurants serve tap water, and it’s free. Just ask “une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît” and you’ll get a carafe of water with your meal.
Yes, you can get free tap water in Paris. The city has plenty of public fountains where you can fill up your own reusable bottle or container. It’s a great way to save money while exploring the City of Light!
Final thoughts..
Paris tap water is not only safe to drink but also a sustainable choice that helps conserve our environment. So, the next time you’re in Paris, don’t forget to bring along your refillable water bottle!
If you’re ready to start exploring the City of Light, check out my post about the top attractions in Paris. You won’t want to miss these!
Paris Travel Resource Guide
Are you ready to book your trip to Paris?
Looking for the top picks for your trip to Paris? Here are some of the best tours and hotels to help you plan the perfect vacation!
Top Tours and Experiences in Paris:
- Seine River Dinner Cruise (Top seller!)
- Versailles Palace & Gardens Guided Tour (A must-see cultural treasure!)
- Louvre Museum Exclusive Guided Tour (Skip the line on this top-rated tour!)
- Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Line Summit (#1 attraction in Paris)
- Gourmet Paris Walking Food Tour (Top rated Paris food tour)
Top Hotels in Paris (Rue Cler):
- Hotel du Champ de Mars (I’ve stayed here several times, charming small hotel!)
- Hotel Relais Bosquet (I’ve stayed here and love the A/C and blackout curtains)
- Hotel du Cadran (4-star wine-themed boutique hotel with spa area)
Do you love Paris? Me too! You might enjoy these posts about the City of Light:
- Perfectly Paris: 21 Best Paris Attractions
- Amazing Paris Night Tours You’ll Love
- Jardin du Luxembourg: Paris’ Best, Most Beautiful Garden
- 23 Fantastic Day Trips from Paris by Train You’ll Love
- Where is Paris? Paris Latitude and Longitude (& Fun Facts)
- 101 Perfect Paris Quotes (Funny, Famous, Fabulous!)
- France Currency: What to Know About Money in France
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Lisa Garrett
Lisa Garrett is the founder of Waves and Cobblestones. She has taken 18 cruises ranging from a multi-generational Caribbean cruise to solo Alaska cruises to fabulous Mediterranean cruises.
She lived in Ireland for 4 months and has taken over a half-dozen multi-city vacations in Europe (primarily relying on train and public transit). Lisa helps people plan amazing vacations to Europe and popular cruise destinations.
Learn more about Lisa!
