Tips for Using French Toilets
- Many restrooms are pay-only and sometimes manned by an attendant who will charge you to enter. ...
- Before you enter, check to see if toilet paper is outside the stall. ...
- If you are visiting a fast food restaurant, save your receipt. ...
- Flushing may also seem obvious, but there are a surprising amount of ways to flush a toilet in France. ...
How do I avoid saying “toilettes” in French?
Note the French have all kinds of words to avoid saying “toilettes”: “les petits-coins” (small corners?), “les cabinets” being one of the most frequent ones. And by the way, French toilets in a private home, specially in an older house, often have no sink. Sorry. Pack some wipes.
Do you have to pay to use the toilet in France?
Once you've found a toilet in France, you might think you've got it from there, but there are still a few things that could catch you off-guard. Many restrooms are pay-only and sometimes manned by an attendant who will charge you to enter. Make sure to keep small change on you and have a variety of coins.
How do you use the bathroom in a restaurant in France?
If you are with company in a restaurant in France and need to use the bathroom, first excuse yourself from the table. Just say to the people with you “Veuillez m’excusez” (more formal), or just “Excusez-moi.” Then get up (you don’t need to say where you are going) and go towards an employee, and ask: “Où sont les toilettes s’il vous plaît”.
How much do you tip for a public toilet in Europe?
Most common is the tip dish by the entry — the local equivalent of about 50 cents is plenty. Caution: Many attendants leave only bills and too-big coins in the tray to bewilder the full-bladdered tourist. The keepers of Europe's public toilets have earned a reputation for crabbiness.
How to flush a toilet in France?
What type of toilets are there in France?
How to use a sanisette?
Is it easy to use a toilet in France?
Do restrooms have to be pay only?
Do rest stop toilets work in France?
Do you need paper tissues in a restroom?
See 4 more
About this website
Do French use toilet paper?
France, Portugal, Italy, Japan, Argentina, Venezuela, and Spain: Instead of toilet paper, people from these countries (most of them from Europe) usually have a bidet in their washrooms. A bidet like a toilet, but also includes a spout that streams water like a water fountain to rinse you clean.
Why do French toilets have two buttons?
Since their inception in 1980, dual-flush toilets were made to reduce the amount of water flushed during use. They feature two different buttons to perform two different kinds of flushes. The difference in buttons depends on the waste in the toilet. One button for liquid waste, another for solid waste.
How do you use the public toilet in Paris?
Parisian sanisettes come in several styles, but all have the same basic design: You press a button to open the door. When you step inside, a sensor in the floor causes the door to close and lock. You do your business, then open the door and exit.
Do you have to pay to use the bathroom in France?
In France, you can expect to pay to use the toilet on the streets. Specifically, in Paris, the capital city, there are coin operated toilet stalls all over the city.
How do you flush a toilet in France?
The flushing mechanism is not always on the back of the toilet, so look for a chain hanging from above or a foot pedal on the ground. Sometimes, the button is on top, but there are two of them and pressing both will make the toilet keep flushing.
Which button do I press on the toilet?
Most of the time you press the smaller, pointy, button for the smaller amount of water. One firm press and a short hold should do it. The bigger, half moon shaped, button alone or both buttons in combination should give you the bigger flush.
Is there toilet paper in Paris?
Toilet paper is just like at home, either in rolls or individual pieces like tissues. But sometimes there's none at all, so keep a tissue packet handy. Most public toilets are free since 2006, but the ones in train stations and shopping malls like the Carrousel du Louvre may require a small fee to use.
Why do the French have squat toilets?
Squat toilets are used in public toilets, rather than household toilets, because they are perceived by some as easier to clean and more hygienic, therefore potentially more appropriate for general public use.
Is there a toilet in Eiffel Tower?
There are free toilets on all floors of the Tower (1st, 2nd and the top) as well as on the parvis.
How much does it cost to go to the toilet in France?
the Sanisettes on the street are free. public toilets with attendants are usually 50 cents -- they may be a Euro or two in department stores and I seem to recall they were a Euro in train stations. when the Sanisettes were first introduced they required a coin -- but they are now free.
What is a French toilet called?
The bidet was born in France in the 1600s as a washing basin for your private parts. It was considered a second step to the chamber pot, and both items were kept in the bedroom or dressing chamber.
What is the bum washer called?
A bidet shower also known as commode shower or toilet shower, is a hand-held triggered nozzle that is placed near the toilet and delivers a spray of water used for anal cleansing and cleaning of the genitals after using the toilet for defecation and urination.
Why are there two buttons on toilet flush?
A dual flush button features two buttons that can flush different amounts of water. The main purpose of a dual flush button is to save water. The dual flush button allows the user to control the waste water. The smaller button (half flush) delivers a smaller volume of water than the larger button (full flush).
What does the second button on my toilet do?
03/6It is for water conservation Clearly, the larger one is to flush solid waste and the smaller one is to flush liquid waste.
How does a dual push button toilet flush work?
Dual Flush is an interactive water saving design for a toilet. It is created with the internal flush valve allowing two separate flushing volumes for disposing waste. This type of cistern gives you the choice between a half flush for disposing liquid waste or a full flush for disposing solid waste.
Why do German toilets have two buttons?
To further facilitate saving water, there are usually two buttons to start the flow – one smaller embedded button for less water for number one and a larger push button for more water for number two.
How to ask 'May I go to the toilet?' in French - Quora
Answer (1 of 20): In the year 2000 I worked for a company that contacted for a telecoms company in Cameroon. Now obviously Cameroon is an African country with African languages, but because it used to be a French colony, everyone spoke French too. As it happens, we went to this hotel to check in...
How many buttons are there in French toilets?
The French toilets are now equipped with 2 buttons: they will control the amount of water flushed. So press the small one when you went number one, the bigger one for “la grosse commission” (French expression to say poop).
How to excuse yourself from a restaurant in France?
If you are with company in a restaurant in France and need to use the bathroom, first excuse yourself from the table. Just say to the people with you “Veuillez m’ excusez” (more formal), or just “Excusez- moi.”
What is a hole in the ground called in France?
And if you are out of luck, you may find “des toilettes à la turques” - a hole in the ground (squatters): they are still very common in France. Put your feet on the foot platform, and squat…. Unfortunately, French women don’t have a superpower I could share with you to avoid peeing all over their shoes….
What does the hostess say when she takes your coat?
In the best-case scenario, the hostess will volunteer the info when she takes your coat or accompanies you to the living room. She’ll say something like: “Les toilettes sont à gauche” (“The rest room is on the left”) and you should memorize the door.
What does "le petit coin" mean?
Le petit coin, le trône – other words for the toilet, common slang.
What is a salle de bain?
But in France “la salle de bain” is for bath and showers, and may not have a toilet (which often is located in a separate room)…
Where are urinals common?
Urinals are extremely common in public toilets in France (as in a highway rest area, a restaurant, a movie theater…). And not discreet at all.
How many gallons of water does a toilet flush in France?
These buttons control the water amount being flushed. These "toilettes à double chasse" are designed to save water, and they do—about 69.000 liters (18,200 gallons) per year for a family of four, according to Ecovie.com, so it's quite a good move for the planet.
Do toilets have rolling seats?
Some toilets in restaurants or cafés are sometimes, though rarely , equipped with a rolling seat cover. If you encounter these, they are often motion activated, but there is sometimes a button you can push.
Is there a public restroom in France?
The public restrooms in France are infamous. Unfortunately, public restrooms in France are sometimes a little too public, as there is a cultural tendency to urinate "au dehors" (outside). Chevalier-Karfis, Camille. "How to Use a French Dual Flush Toilet.".
How many toilets are there in Paris?
Self-Washing Toilets (Sanisettes): Paris has over 400 Sanisettes or self-washing toilets placed strategically around the city. In previous years these were known known as public pay toilets. Since 2006 however, Paris Council has made all of these free to the public.
How old do you have to be to use a toilet in Paris?
It is recommended that children under ten years of age be accompanied by an adult when in use. (reports have been made that these toilets may initiate the cleaning cycle while smaller children are inside.) Fast Food Toilets: For many visitors to Paris finding a toilet in places such as KFC and McDonalds should be a sure thing.
What are the new sanisettes supposed to look like?
According the city of Paris the new sanisettes are supposed to look like a tree trunk, and to include the following attributes; The use of renewable energy.
Why is it not common to use "bathroom" in Paris?
These terms are not commonly used basically because a bathroom usually does not have a toilet in it. Look out instead for a recognizable illustration, or the words Toilettes and W.C.
What is a Turkish toilet?
Turkish Toilets. Known as elephant feet toilets, Turkish toilets or squatting toilets, this is a sight which many of us dread in Paris. Although they are not as common as they once were, you will still find them in older buildings.
When are saniettes out of service?
Note: Sanisettes will often be out of service after 10pm and before 6am. Threy are a technical piece of machinery which can often be out of order. It is recommended that children under ten years of age be accompanied by an adult when in use. (reports have been made that these toilets may initiate the cleaning cycle while smaller children are inside.)
Is there a tipping tray for a public toilet?
Ten years ago the majority of public toilets were paid toilets, now you will be hard -pressed to find a paid toilet. In some cases there may still be a tipping tray for the toilet attendant who cleans and maintains the facilities, however this is not a compulsory fee.
When I first moved to France in the early 1980s, was the squatter the most common commode?
When I first moved to France in the early 1980s, the squatter was by far the most common commode in public restrooms of all kinds. Once I even stayed briefly in an apartment equipped with one, a bombsight for the bowels that served double duty as the floor of the shower stall.
Do squat pots need a drain?
The Wikipedia article on this misbegotten monstrosity says yes, but I don’t believe it for a second. A squat pot has to be inset into the floor, cement-sealed all around its ten-foot perimeter and hooked to a drain going down many inches below floor level, rather than just bolted into place and linked to the nearest in and out pipes. Plus it needs one of those old-fashioned high-mounted pull chain tanks with a long downpipe to flush it. Getting all of that in place has to be substantially more laborious and time-consuming.
Is a squat toilet a toilet?
For the benefit of readers fortunate enough to have never had to deal with this tragic miscarriage of plumbing design, a squat toilet is not so much a toilet as a target. It consists of a thick, contoured ceramic slab, usually about 2.5 feet square, installed flush (ho-ho-ho) with the floor, incorporating a drain hole in the back and two raised platforms where you’re supposed to put your feet. It was obviously invented by someone who didn’t know a bathroom fixture from a hole in the ground.
What is a European toilet?
The vast majority of European toilets are similar to our own. But in a few out-of-the-way places, you might find one that consists simply of porcelain footprints and a squat-and-aim hole. If faced with a squat toilet, remember: Those of us who need a throne to sit on are in the minority. Throughout the world, most humans sit on their haunches and nothing more. Sometimes called "Turkish toilets," these are more commonly found in, well, Turkey.
Where are Turkish toilets found?
Sometimes called "Turkish toilets," these are more commonly found in, well, Turkey. Getting comfortable in foreign restrooms takes a little adjusting, but that's travel. When in Rome, do as the Romans do — and before you know it, you'll be Euro-peein'.
Where are coin op toilets?
Coin-op Toilets on the Street. Some large cities, such as Paris, London, and Amsterdam, are dotted with coin-operated, telephone-booth-type WCs on street corners. Insert a coin, the door opens, and you have 15 minutes of toilet use accompanied by Sinatra Muzak. When you leave, the entire chamber disinfects itself.
How much do you tip at a toilet?
Most common is the tip dish by the entry — the local equivalent of about 50 cents is plenty. Caution: Many attendants leave only bills and too-big coins in the tray to bewilder the full-bladdered tourist. The keepers of Europe's public toilets have earned a reputation for crabbiness. You'd be crabby, too, if you lived under the street in a room full of public toilets. Humor them, understand them, and carry some change so you can leave them a coin or two.
How to find a restroom?
No restaurateur would label his WC so those on the street can see, but you can walk into nearly any restaurant or café, politely and confidently, and find a bathroom. Assume it's somewhere in the back, either upstairs or downstairs. It's easiest in large places that have outdoor seating — waiters will think you're a customer just making a quick trip inside. Some call it rude; I call it survival. If you feel like it, ask permission. Just smile, "Toilet?" I'm rarely turned down. American-type fast-food places are very common and usually have a decent and fairly accessible "public" restroom. Timid people buy a drink they don't want in order to use the bathroom, but that's generally unnecessary (although sometimes the secret bathroom door code is printed only on your receipt).
Is it worth paying for a public toilet?
Paying to use a public WC is a European custom that irks some Americans. But isn't it really worth a few coins, considering the cost of water, maintenance, and cleanliness? And you're probably in no state to argue, anyway. Coin-operated toilets are the norm at highway rest areas, train stations, and even at some sights. (Many coin-op WCs have self-cleaning toilet seats; stick around after you're done to watch the show.)
Is it traumatic to travel to a foreign toilet?
Foreign toilets can be traumatic, even in Europe, but they are one of those little things that can make travel so much more interesting than staying at home — every world traveler has one or two great toilet stories that give "going local" a very real meaning.
What Countries Do Not Use Toilet Paper?
When visiting another country, it’s polite to learn about their customs prior to arriving so you don’t accidentally offend or embarrass the locals. Studying a culture also helps you to assimilate, giving you a deeper, more enriching experience. If you are planning to visit any of the following countries, you may want to consider bringing a roll of toilet paper for your travels.
Where did toilet paper originate?
If you need to use it, it is probably good for you to take your own to guarantee your stock. Considering that toilet paper originated in China, it is very peculiar that it is not exactly popular there. Some of these Asian countries have a toilet bowl on the floor for you to do your business.
What is in a toilet paper kit?
Each kit includes a toilet seat cover, a yard of toilet paper, an antibacterial wipe for your hands, and a wet wipe for your behind. The Restroom Kit also has spray and gel hand sanitizers separately available for sale online. We know that practicing good safe hygiene is more important than ever nowadays due to the Coronavirus pandemic. You can bring the discreet Restroom Kit, with all it’s useful resources, everywhere you go.
What is a bidet?
A bidet like a toilet, but also includes a spout that streams water like a water fountain to rinse you clean. You’re likely to find bidets in the hotels and people’s homes. Some bidets are separate from the toilet, while others have a toilet and bidet all in one. It is also common for people to use neutral soap with a bidet ...
What is a restroom kit?
The Restroom Kit is specifically developed for you to feel safer and more comfortable during these times. You can find the original Restroom Kit or grab the Restroom Kit Plus that also includes a feminine liner. Both kits are very useful resources when it comes to answering the call of nature, no matter where you are.
What is the washroom?
The washroom essential for many cultures is a container of water. Instead of wiping, they rinse themselves clean by pouring water over a bowl, or even a hole. In other cultures, the common custom is to cook, eat, and greet with the right hand and the right hand only.
Which country has the most toilet paper?
The United States is the world leader in toilet paper usage. Nearly every American person uses a few feet of toilet paper in their daily life. Every American home bathroom and public restroom (hopefully) has toilet paper readily available. However, it is not like that for every country in the world. We’re exploring the countries that don’t use ...
How to flush a toilet in France?
Flushing may also seem obvious, but there are a surprising amount of ways to flush a toilet in France. The flushing mechanism is not always on the back of the toilet, so look for a chain hanging from above or a foot pedal on the ground. Sometimes, the button is on top, but there are two of them and pressing both will make the toilet keep flushing. Sometimes, you need to pull the lever up, but not too hard or it might come away in your hand. Frequently, there is a large, rectangular bar on the back wall that you need to push.
What type of toilets are there in France?
Types of Toilets in France. Once you enter, size up the bathroom. Most likely, you'll find a regular toilet, but it is also possible that you could find a squat toilet, which is essentially a hole in the floor. For these, you will need to squat and hover to do your business. In public areas, especially parks, you might encounter a sanisette, ...
How to use a sanisette?
In public areas, especially parks, you might encounter a sanisette, which is a pod-style public restroom. If it's your first time using one, check to see if it's occupied by looking for a red or green light. If the light is green, insert your change and wait for the door to automatically open. When you step in, it will close behind you. After 15 minutes, the door will automatically unlock and open, so be aware of how much time is going by when you're inside. Although these might seem unhygienic, they are actually disinfected after each use and are surprisingly clean. However, they are known for being out-of-order occasionally, so have a Plan B before you go looking for a sanisette.
Is it easy to use a toilet in France?
In France, there are different kinds of toilets, many varieties of flushing mechanisms, and sometimes you might even have to pay a small fee. Compared to some other countries, using the toilets in France is easy, but there are still some things that might surprise you.
Do restrooms have to be pay only?
Many restrooms are pay-only and sometimes manned by an attendant who will charge you to enter. Make sure to keep small change on you and have a variety of coins. Sometimes there is an attendant, but other times there will be a machine that requires exact change.
Do rest stop toilets work in France?
If you're driving through France, rest stop toilets along the highway are available, but they do not have the best reputation. They are known for not being cleaned very often and can be quite dirty. If you're on the road and need to go, try to wait until you reach a major service area.
Do you need paper tissues in a restroom?
Sometimes, there are dispensers in the sink and mirror area, but no paper inside the stall. If in doubt, keep paper tissues somewhere handy. If you are visiting a fast food restaurant, save your receipt. It sometimes has a code that you'll need to use enter the restroom.
1- Don’T Ask For The Bathroom in French to Avoid An Embarrassing Mistake!
2 – Using The Toilet in A French Café
- If you are visiting France and need to use the restroom, the easiest thing to do is to step in a coffee shop. Just ask: “est-ce que je peux utiliser vos toilettes s’il vous plaît” (may I use your restroom) with a smile, and it should be no problem. If it’s a big and busyParisian café, just get in and open your eyes for a staircase – toilets are oft...
3 – Asking to Use The Restroom in A Restaurant in France
- If you are with company in a restaurant in France and need to use the bathroom, first excuse yourself from the table. Just say to the people with you “Veuillez m’excusez” (more formal), or just “Excusez-moi.” Then get up (you don’t need to say where you are going) and go towards an employee, and ask: “Où sont les toilettes s’il vous plaît”. Easy enough.
4 – Asking For The Toilet in A French House
- If you get invited to someone’s house, it’s a bit more complicated. In the best-case scenario, the hostess will volunteer the info when she takes your coat or accompanies you to the living room. She’ll say something like: “Les toilettes sont à gauche” (“The rest room is on the left”) and you should memorize the door. If she doesn’t, then wait for her to get up, follow her (but not into the …
5 – Using The Public Restroom in France – Watch Out!!!
- In major cities, you’ll also have what is called “une sanisette”, an automated public restroom (featured on the main picture of this article). You need to pay to get in. It’s usually relatively clean. The instructions are easy enough, it’s not rocket science. However, one word of caution: these toilets “self clean” – meaning the entire room will get cleaned automatically after you exit and lo…
6 – What About “Les Urinoirs” in France?
- Urinals are extremely common in public toilets in France (as in a highway rest area, a restaurant, a movie theater…). And not discreet at all. French womenand kids often have to walk in front of a row of urinals to access the stalls. Or the sinks… How charming.
7 – What Is “Une Dame Pipi”?
- “Une dame pipi” is a very old but still used name for a bathroom attendant. There is another term ” un /une employé(e) sanitaire” but really, nobody uses it. I’ve even asked a “dame pipi” to check, and she said she called herself “une dame pipi”. They are still quite numerous in France, believe it or not. If there is one, you need to leave a tip – sometimes a certain sum is mandatory (such as i…
8 – What Are These Buttons on The Top of A French Loo ?
- The French toilets are now equipped with 2 buttons: they will control the amount of water flushed. So press the small one when you went number one, the bigger one for “la grosse commission” (French expression to say poop). In old houses however, there still may be a tank flush, with a handle hanging from it – you need to pull on it rather strongly – without breaking it though…
9 – What Is A Bidet ?
- In older houses or elegant hotels (well, now elegant hotels… before very low class hotels…) you had what is called “un bidet”. It’s a very small tub. You sit on it, facing whatever part you want to wash to the water, and can wash your privates (or your feet) quite easily this way. It’s quite practical actually.
10 – No Hand Shower on French Toilets
- Unlike in many countries in the world, French toilets are not equipped with a small hand shower. Nor do we have intelligent Japanese like stalls. I guess the loo is still quite classical in France.