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Can You Drink Tap Water in Lyon?
Yes, tap water is drinkable.
Tap Safe includes data from many publicly available sources, including the WHO (World Health Organization), CDC (Center for Disease Control), and user submitted databases, but unfortunately there's not enough data about Lyon.
To see user submitted ratings of the water quality for France, see the "User Submitted Ratings" box on this page.
If you are like me, then you probably do not care too much about tap water quality or safety. I have lived in Lyon, France for the last 20 years and yet I never feel threatened by tap water. In fact, when I am at a hotel or other place that is supposed to be clean and safe, I feel refreshed and stimulated instead of weary and lethargic. My friends in neighboring apartments complain about how awful the taste of their water is compared to mine. They say it has an acrid taste, tastes like metal and has an unpleasant odor. All I can say is: It''s good enough!
But did you know that the quality of your tap water can determine how safe you are? Water that has gone through stringent purification and is bottled and distributed throughout the country is undoubtedly clean. But, there are thousands of cases of contaminants like lead and bacteria in this water. This goes to prove the point that you cannot depend on tap water to be your sole drinking water source.
Wikitravel
Restaurants have their menus with prices displayed outside. As everywhere in France, the prices always include service, bread and tap water (ask for a carafe of water). Tipping is rare and only expected if you are particularly satisfied with the service. This is especially true in budget or mid-range restaurants, maybe less so in expensive places where it may be considered more appropriate; nothing is compulsory, though. Typical tips depend, of course, on the price of the menu and your level of satisfaction but they are generally not as high as in the US, for example. If you pay by credit card and wish to add a tip, you can tell the person in charge how much he/she should charge your card.
The estimated price of bottled water
$0.83 in USD (1.5-liter)
USER SUBMITTED RATINGS
- Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility
- Water Pollution
- Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility
- Water Quality
The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Lyon, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).
Related FAQS
Reminder
Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.