The Struggles of Finding a Public Bathroom in France
If you’ve ever been out and about in France when nature calls, you know the struggle is real. Public restrooms aren’t exactly everywhere, and when you do find one, there’s often a catch—whether it’s a fee, a missing toilet seat, or an out-of-order sign that crushes all hope.
So, what can you do? Here’s what to expect and how to avoid an uncomfortable situation.
Public Restrooms Are Scarce (And Often Not Free)
Unlike some other countries where you can pop into a free public bathroom almost anywhere, France doesn’t have that luxury.
While big cities like Paris have sanisettes -those self-cleaning public toilets on the sidewalks, they’re not always easy to find when you need one. And even when you do, you might have to wait since they take a while to reset between users.
Train stations, tourist spots, and malls usually have public toilets, but most of them charge a small fee. If you’re at a major transport hub like Gare du Nord or Charles de Gaulle Airport, expect to pay around 50 cents to a euro. Not a huge deal – unless you don’t have coins.
What to do instead: Keep small change on you, or better yet, head to department stores like Galeries Lafayette or Le Bon Marché, where the restrooms are cleaner and often free. Museums also have decent facilities, so if you have a ticket, take advantage before you leave.
The Infamous Street Toilets Can Be a Gamble
If you’ve ever spotted a futuristic-looking public toilet on the streets of Paris, that’s a sanisette. In theory, they’re great – free, self-cleaning, and scattered across the city. In reality, they’re often broken, occupied for an eternity, or just plain disgusting!
You finally find one, step up to the door, and- no luck. It’s out of service. The next closest one? Five blocks away.
What to do: Apps like “Flush” or even Google Maps can help you find alternative public restrooms nearby. Better yet, if you’re at a major metro station, look for a Toilettes Publiques sign. Some larger stations have staffed restrooms that are cleaner and more reliable (though they usually charge a small fee).
By the way, you may have heard of the controversial Uritrottoir introduced back in 2018:
This is what street toilets looked like in the past:
Cafés Have Bathrooms – But Only for Customers
One of the quickest ways to access a bathroom is to walk into a café. The catch? Many places require you to be a paying customer. Some smaller cafés even keep their restrooms locked, with a code printed on your receipt.
Picture this: you’re wandering the Marais, enjoying the afternoon, when suddenly -urgency strikes. You spot a charming café, step inside, and ask politely if you can use the restroom. The waiter gives you a knowing smirk and points to the menu. No purchase, no bathroom.
What to do: Buy the cheapest thing on the menu – typically an espresso or a small water. It’s a small price to pay for relief. In tourist-heavy areas, some larger chain cafés like Starbucks tend to be more relaxed about bathroom access. Alternatively, head to the nearest McDo !
Hotel Lobbies Are Hit or Miss
Some travelers swear by the trick of walking confidently into a fancy hotel and heading straight for the restrooms. While this sometimes works, more hotels have started requiring keycard access, especially in busy tourist zones.
Try this in a small boutique hotel, and you might get an unimpressed bonjour from the front desk. But in a big chain hotel? No one usually questions you.
Pro tip: Aim for well-known international hotels, where foot traffic is high, and guests come and go frequently. If you’re in Paris, places like the Hilton Opéra or the Marriott Champs-Élysées have lobbies big enough to blend in.
No Toilet Paper? No Toilet Seat? Welcome to France
Even when you do find a public restroom, don’t expect luxury. Some toilets in train stations and public spaces come without seats. In many cases, there’s no toilet paper either.
Nothing makes you rethink your life choices faster than realizing, mid-squat, that there’s no paper in sight.
What to do: Always carry tissues and hand sanitizer. It’s an easy habit that can save you from an unfortunate situation.
In Conclusion
Finding a bathroom in France isn’t impossible, but it does take some planning. Keep coins on hand, use department stores and museums when you can, and always have tissues with you.