Don’t Get Caught Short in the City of Lights: A Guide to Toilets in Paris for Foreign visitors

Ah, Paris! The City of Lights, the City of Love, and all that… While perhaps not the most glamorous topic, finding toilets in Paris is an essential task for any foreign tourist. Fear not, for this guide will equip you with all the knowledge you need to avoid any unfortunate “situations” during your Parisian adventure. Let’s dive in !

Types of Toilets:

• Sanisettes: These self-cleaning, automatic public toilets are your most common option. Over 400 are scattered throughout the city, and thankfully, they’re free since 2006 ! Accessible to people with disabilities, they’re generally open from 6am to 10pm, with 150 on main roads operating 24/7. Look for the silver, spaceship-like structures (see photo).

• Department Stores & Malls: Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and other major shopping destinations offer clean and free restrooms within their premises. Perfect for a pit stop while on a retail spree.
• Museums & Monuments: Most major attractions like the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower have public restrooms, often included in the admission fee.
• Cafes & Restaurants: While not always guaranteed, many cafes and restaurants allow customers to use their restrooms upon making a purchase. Just be polite and ask ! And in case of emergency, even if you are not a customer, don’t hesitate to ask. People are kind sometimes.
• Hotels: Obviously, if you’re staying at a hotel, their restrooms are at your disposal.

Things to Know:

• Language: Don’t worry, most public toilets have pictograms for basic instructions. “WC” and “Toilettes” are your universal friends. If you want to test your french, you can ask something like “Où sont les toilettes, s’il vous plaît ?” (where are the toilets please).
• Cleanliness: While generally well-maintained (and theorically self-cleaned), sanisettes can vary in cleanliness, especially during peak hours. Pack hand sanitizer and tissues just in case.
• Payment: Remember, sanisettes are free! Don’t be fooled by individuals trying to charge you for access.
• Old style: Many parisians (men but also women) still pee in the street, between cars. Mainly at night. In theory it’s forbidden and you could be fined. But in case of absolute emergency, imitate the locals.
• Accessibility: All sanisettes are wheelchair-accessible, and many have baby changing facilities.
• Alternatives: In a pinch, some metro stations have public restrooms, but be prepared for potential queues and less-than-ideal conditions.

Insider Tips:

• Download the “Paris Toilettes” app for a map of all sanisette locations and real-time availability information.
• Consider carrying toilet paper, as it’s not always provided in sanisettes.
• Look for sanisettes near popular tourist attractions, as these tend to be well-maintained and have shorter queues. Hard time to find the closest one ? Use the official map
• If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask at cafes, shops, or tourist information points. Parisians are generally helpful and understanding.

Bonus: For a truly unique experience, visit the historic Lavatory de la Madeleine near the Église de la Madeleine. This Art Nouveau gem offers a glimpse into Parisian history (and costs €1, which goes towards its upkeep).

That’s all. You have all the information to go through Paris without worrying about this small but important daily issue.

Bonus: french language crash course in case of emergency

Lesson 1: Asking for Directions

Imagine you’re strolling down the charming streets of Paris, and nature calls. You need to ask for directions to the restroom. In French, you can say:

• “Où sont les toilettes, s’il vous plaît?” (pronounced: oo sohn lay twah-let, seel voo pleh)

This means “Where are the toilets, please?” Remember, politeness goes a long way in France!

Lesson 2: Emergency Situations

Sometimes, you’re in a hurry and can’t wait. In that case, you can use this phrase:

• “J’ai une urgence!” (pronounced: zhay oon oor-zhahns)

It means “I have an emergency!” Hopefully, people will understand the urgency in your tone!

Lesson 3: Navigating Signs

Toilets in Paris often have simple gender signs. For men, you’ll see “Hommes” (pronounced: ohm) and for women, it’s “Femmes” (pronounced: fehm). Just follow the signs!

Bonus Tip:

• Pay attention to the word “WC” (pronounced: vay-say) – it’s commonly used in France to indicate public restrooms. You might spot it on signs or maps.

That’s all. You can explore Paris confidently now, you are an expert of “toilets in Paris”.