Country menu guides

Is tap water free in French restaurants? The carafe d'eau

Une carafe d'eau is a jug of tap water, and in a French restaurant it's free when you eat a meal. Bread is included in the price of the meal too. Restaurants must also let customers know that free drinking water is available. What you pay for is bottled water — eau plate (still) or eau gazeuse (sparkling).

Updated 8 October 2026

On the menu: Carafe d'eau
Meaning: A jug of tap water, served free with a meal.
Typical amount: Free with a meal.

How it works

The French government's consumer agency (DGCCRF) explains that the price of a restaurant meal covers the basics on the table — ordinary tap water, bread, salt and pepper, crockery and napkins — so they can't be billed separately; the rule goes back to a 1967 price-display order. Since 1 January 2022, France's anti-waste law (loi AGEC) has also required restaurants, cafés and bars to give customers access to free drinking water and to show, on the menu or on a sign, that they can ask for it.

When you sit down, the waiter may ask Qu'est-ce que vous voulez boire ? ("What would you like to drink?") or offer une bouteille d'eau. If you want tap water, say so: bottled water is the restaurant's default sale.

How it shows up on the menu and the bill

Eau plate / eau minérale 75 cl — 5 €: bottled still water, charged.
Eau gazeuse / pétillante: bottled sparkling water, charged.
Carafe d'eau: usually not on the menu at all, or shown as free. It should never appear on your bill as a charge with a meal.

Cafés and bars are covered too: since 2022 they must give customers free drinking water on request, so with a coffee you can ask for un verre d'eau (a glass of water) rather than a whole jug.

What to do

Ask: Une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plaît.
Want it chilled? Many places serve it cold anyway; you can add bien fraîche.
If a carafe of tap water appears on the bill, politely ask for it to be removed.
Tap water in France is generally drinkable.

Frequently asked questions

Is tap water free in restaurants in France?

Yes, when you're having a meal. A carafe of tap water is part of what the meal price covers, along with bread, so a restaurant shouldn't charge for it. Ask for "une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plaît". Bottled still or sparkling water is a separate drink and is charged at the price on the menu.

Is bread free in French restaurants?

Yes. Bread is served with the meal and included in its price; you won't see a separate bread or cover charge like Italy's coperto or Portugal's couvert. Refills are normal in most bistros. Specialty breads or butter served as a dish of their own may be priced on the menu.

Do French cafés have to give free water?

Yes, to their customers. Since January 2022, France's anti-waste law has required restaurants, cafés and bars to give customers access to free drinking water and to display that it can be requested. With a meal you can ask for a carafe; with a coffee or a drink, ask for "un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît".

How do you ask for tap water in French?

Say "Une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plaît" (a jug of water, please). That signals tap water. If you just ask for "de l'eau", the waiter may offer bottled water and ask "plate ou gazeuse ?" (still or sparkling), which is charged. For a glass rather than a jug, ask for "un verre d'eau".