By the way, in Europe, they’re called toilettes, not restrooms, not bathrooms. I know, I know, Americans consider the toilet to be the actual throne, but in Europe the toilettes (always plural) are the whole room.
Warning: some French toilets don’t have toilet seats. This just feels so wrong to me. I always build a toilet paper temple to cover the seat. It’s an elaborate arrangement of crisscrossed strips that completely cover that cold narrow oval. When I flush it looks like a flower imploding on itself.
Here’s where to go:
Most malls have toilettes, but you might have to pay for them. It’s usually no more than one euro, so you might as well cough up the cash. No, they do not take credit cards. These bathrooms will probably be moderately clean and well-stocked, but they are popular so you will have to wait in line for a few minutes.
Most department stores have restrooms, usually on an upper floor. They’re probably free, but there will be a line.
One of the least appetizing options, for me, is the free-standing self-cleaning toilet. You’ll see these oval, green latrines located around Paris. You might have to pay, coins only, and inside there will be a metal seat-less toilet or a squat potty. (If you’re new to squat potties, please read my helpful post below.) There are scary signs saying This door’s gonna pop open if you don’t come out in fifteen minutes or something like that, which really makes it hard to relax and get your business done. Just focus. There’s a hand-washing station in there, but no paper towels. When you leave, the whole structure locks itself and some sort of carwash action goes on in there. That explains the drippy surfaces when you first go it. Not my favorite. Here’s a link to the public toilettes. Good luck. |
Try this toilette adventure! Go to the Ritz Hotel. Ask the charming doorman where the Bar Hemingway is. It’s about a mile back there, past lots of fancy shops. When you get to the bar, don’t go in, but look around for some stairs, just past the seating area. Down the stairs, next to the event spaces, will be the restrooms, and they are the most outrageously gaudy restrooms I’ve ever seen. Shiny gold fixtures, swan faucets, very glam. They do have really nice soap and hand lotion, though, with private stalls and real terrycloth towels. And it’s free! Live it up! But you didn’t hear that from me. |
Some Metro stations have toilettes. I’d rather just hold it, thanks.
Note to those who stand to pee: a lot of men in Paris just pee on the street, or between buildings, or in the metro station gutters. Please don’t do that! It’s nasty. Also, Paris has a few uritrottoirs around town. They are waist-high plastic bins full of straw. Guys, we all know you are proud of your easy-access plumbing, but please, keep your dignity intact and don’t give me something I can’t un-see. Find a restroom. Thank you.
Do you have any more toilet options in Paris that I’ve missed? Tell me your secrets in the comments section below!
Here are some of my other handy toilet guides. Or click here to subscribe to my newsletter and get all the latest toilet info.
Japanese Public Toilets: Women’s Edition
Squat Potty: Success in 8 Steps
Girlfriend’s Guide to Going to the Bathroom in China