France drinks tap water as a matter of course: the carafe on the table is free by law, Paris has over 1,200 drinking fountains, and the water from the Seine and the Marne is treated with ozone and activated carbon.
The short answer
Yes, everywhere; restaurants must serve water free of charge
Aquaviana’s advice
- “Une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plaît” gets every guest a free carafe, in every restaurant.
- Paris water is hard (around 20 to 30 °fH, so 11 to 17 °dH), and it tastes good chilled.
- The green Wallace fountains and the sparkling water fountains in Paris carry drinking water.
Paris
Half of the water in Paris comes from springs and groundwater in the surrounding area, the other half from the Seine and the Marne, treated with ozone, activated carbon and UV. The hardness is about 11 to 17 °dH. More than 1,200 drinking fountains stand in the city, including the famous dark green Wallace fountains of 1872 and several fountains that deliver sparkling water free of charge. All of it is drinking water.
The country
Brittany, the Massif Central, the Vosges and the Alps have soft water from granite and slate, while the Paris Basin, Champagne and the north have hard water from limestone. More than 60 per cent of French drinking water comes from groundwater. In rural regions with intensive farming (Brittany, Beauce), nitrate and pesticides are an issue, which the authorities deal with through blending and treatment; the values are published for each municipality.
Culture
France is home to the big mineral water brands and still drinks less bottled water than Germany or Italy. The free carafe in restaurants has been the law for decades, and the water glass belongs with the meal like bread. Still water dominates, and sparkling is the exception.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drink from the tap in holiday homes in the French countryside?
Yes, if the house is connected to the public network. With your own well or cistern, ask; a sign saying “eau non potable” is binding.
Share
