Tap water in France

Generally safe to drink

The WHO and UNICEF put safely managed drinking water within reach of 98% of people in France. National figures describe a country, not the tap in front of you.

What the sources say

WHO / UNICEF JMP

98% of the population has safely managed drinking water, meaning it is free from contamination at the point of use.

US CDC Travelers' Health

Advises travellers that tap water is generally safe to drink in France.

Numbeo

73.65/100 on the water drinkability and accessibility index, which Numbeo reads as “High”. This one is crowdsourced from residents rather than measured.

European Union

As an EU member state, France is bound by the Drinking Water Directive, which sets minimum quality standards and requires regular testing by suppliers.

Lonely Planet

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.

Safe nationally still means ask locally. Older buildings can carry lead or copper pipework, and a single street can differ from the network feeding it. If you are staying somewhere old, ask your host.

What bottled water costs you here

Drinking tap water instead of bottled would save one adult about 569$ a year in France, and keep several hundred plastic bottles out of circulation.

Work out your own saving

Places in France

Water quality is local. These places have their own readings.

Elsewhere in Europe