Order Tap Water and Understand Service Compris

When dining at traditional restaurants and bistros, you are not expected to pay steep prices for bottled mineral water. By French law, every restaurant is required to provide potable tap water for free. Ask your server for "une carafe d'eau" (a pitcher of tap water) and "du pain" (bread), both of which are served complimentary.

Furthermore, dining bills in France automatically include a 15% service charge marked as "service compris". Tipping is not mandatory; leaving a few small coins (1 to 2 euros) for casual meals or around 5% to 10% in upscale settings is a gracious gesture reserved for exceptional service, not an obligation.