Can you drink the tap water in Paris in 2025?

When planning a trip, it can be easy to forget about preparing for the small things, such as where it's safe to fill up your water bottle. Coming across this guide means you're already ahead of the curve!

Before we get into the details: Yes! The tap water in Paris is safe to drink. However, it's worth sticking around to read about what to look out for, where to find safe tap water around the city, and other tips and tricks for staying hydrated in Paris.

(Psst... there's a big tip when asking for water at restaurants that will save you money).

Can you drink the tap water in Paris?

Yes, the tap water in Paris, France is safe to drink! If you're staying in a hotel room with a sink, or somewhere else, rest assured that you can fill up your glass and enjoy a drink with no risk to your health.

The city of Paris has a rigorous testing system where they frequently assess the safety and quality of drinking water, evaluating over 300 parameters in their laboratory each and every year.

More than 900 employees of Eau de Paris, from scientists to service providers, continuously ensure the safety of the drinking water. This means that you can feel confident staying hydrated no matter what's on the day's agenda.

When the drinking water isn't safe, there will be a sign near the faucet that says "eau non potable" (water isn't drinkable). This isn't common, but you may see it at some public bathroom sinks, industrial sinks, or near some faucets or spigots while around the city.

Just keep an eye out for this sign; it will be in a conspicuous location and easy to see.

Are there free drinking fountains in Paris?

Yes, there are so many! One thing that travelers may not know about Paris is that you can find free, safe drinking water all over the city when you're out wandering around.

In Paris, there are many different types of drinking fountains, the most common being small, dark green standpipes. These standpipes look sort of like thin, tall American fire hydrants (other than the fact they're green).

While those are the most common, there are several styles of water fountains, including highly ornamental ones that look more like artistic statues than utilitarian services. The most popular of these are called Wallace Fountains and they are actually for drinking! The photograph above is one of the famous Wallace Fountains.

A short history of Parisian drinking fountains

The idea of public water fountains in Paris dates all the way back to the 1300s, though the water then wasn't really safe for consumption without boiling.

The mid 1500s is when public drinking water became more readily available to the people of Paris, with King Phillipe Auguste's creation of three free water fountains.

However, by the 1600s, Henry IV was concerned about the lack of accessible water in the city, since there were still only 3 fountains in total. So, he decided to organize a large overhaul of the public drinking water system. This included changing the source of the drinking water and building a new aqueduct meaning the city could adequately supply more free water for the ever-growing population.

The Wallace Fountains, the decorative ones that have become icons of Paris, were created in the late 1800s. Today, you can find more than 100 working Wallace Fountains, perfectly safe for filling up your water bottle on the go.

Sparkling drinking fountains in Paris

Did you know that not only can you get potable water around the city of Paris, but you can also get free sparkling water?

In the last decade, free sparkling water, or eau gazeuse, has been introduced in brand-new fountains in Paris.

Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up for your stroll around the city!

Where do I find drinking water in Paris?

There are more than 1200 free drinking fountains in Paris, meaning you'll likely stumble upon one at every turn. If you're not sure where the nearest one is to you, check out the city of Paris's official city water website. This page has an interactive map displaying the nearest drinking fountain to you.

How to get free water at Paris restaurants

Free tap water is available to everyone in Paris as a fundamental right, sometimes you just have to know what to ask.

If you are a tourist coming to Paris and you ask for water at a restaurant, the server may bring you bottled water. In this case, you will be expected to pay for the bottle.

To get free (safe and drinkable) tap water instead, ask for a "carafe d'eau" (a water carafe). The waiter will bring a free carafe of tap water to the table!

Keep in mind that if you want sparkling water at a restaurant, it isn't free.

How to save on bottled water in Paris

If you opt for bottled water for whatever reason, know that refrigerated water bottles are typically more expensive than the ones on the shelves, stored at room temperature.

It might also surprise you to learn that you can open large packs of water in the room-temperature beverage aisles. If there is a 6-pack of water bottles encased in plastic, for example, you can open it, select the number of bottles you'd like, and bring them to the cash register to pay. You don't have to buy the entire pack.

Doing this is less expensive than choosing the refrigerated water in the front of the store, and is perfectly acceptable. No one will bat an eye.

Staying hydrated in Paris

Whether it's free drinking fountains, tap water, or bottled the most important thing is that you stay hydrated, especially if you're visiting Paris in the summer.

Paris can get very hot in the summer months, and air conditioning isn't readily available in many establishments. This makes hydrating extremely important to avoid heat exhaustion, or worse, heat stroke.

Make sure that you carry a refillable water bottle with you when you're out and about and that you stop for a hydrating drink regularly.

Bon voyage!