tapsafe
Layer 1

Tap Water Safety in France

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: April 8, 2021 12:53 pm
+

Table of Contents

How do People In France Rate The Tap Water?

Travellers and residents of France have rated the water quality and pollution as follows, according to subjective survey data. A score of 100% is considered very high, and a score of 0% is very low. Please be cautious that "moderate to very high" water pollution is bad and the higher the rate of water quality the better.

Can you drink the tap water in France?

The US Center for Disease Control’s travel advisory confirms the safety of the tap water in France (source). However, it would be best if you take special precautions toward the unregulated water sources in some areas. Like all countries though, water accessibility, sanitation, and treatment vary widely from location to location, so we encourage looking for specific city information.

What do people in France think about the tap water?

Tap water country-wide is drinkable. Some fountains in villages and towns also spout drinking water – ‘eau potable’ means ‘drinking water’, ‘non potable’ means undrinkable. In the chic capital, there is even the odd drinking fountain gushing sparkling water.

Wikitravel

Fixed price menus seldom include beverages (if drinks are included, the menu will state 'boisson comprise'). If you want water, waiters will often try to sell you still mineral water (Évian, Thonon) or sparkling water (Badoit, Perrier), at a premium; ask for a carafe d'eau (bottle of tap water), which is safe to drink (and, by law, must be provided free of charge when you order food at a restaurant). Water never comes with ice in it unless so requested (and water with ice may not be available).
Tap water (Eau du robinet) is drinkable, except in rare cases such as rural rest areas and sinks in train bathrooms, in which case it will be clearly signposted as Eau non potable. Eau potable is potable water. (You may, however, not like the taste which may be chlorinated, bottled water is common.)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 27% Low
  • Water Pollution 39% Low
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 73% High
  • Water Quality 61% High

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in , measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

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.

Sources and Resources

Layer 1
Layer 1

Check tap water safety of cities in the France

How Do Your Rate the Tap Water in Your City?

x

How do you find the quality and the accessibility of the drinking water?

Are you concerned with the water pollution in your city?

All fields are required.
Layer 1