Paris tap water??

[Nina]

I just read a post that mentioned it's best to drink bottled water in Paris to avoid upset stomach the first couple of days. This was the first time I'd heard the tap water in Paris could cause problems. I've only read that the tap water is just fine to drink. So, I'm wanting to hear from as many people as possible about their experiences with this. We were hoping to not have to spend the extra money on bottled water if at all possible, and just order "un carafe d'eau, s'il vous plait" in most of the restaurants.

Thanks,
Nina

[Ruth Lafler]

I drank tap water all over Paris last October with no problems (I also noticed that, contrary to what I'd heard about "everyone" in Europe drinking bottled water in restaurants, about half the tables around me had a carafe of tap water).

I suspect anyone who has tummy troubles in Paris is getting them from something other than the water -- maybe eating more/different foods than they would at home or just the stress of travel and jet lag.

[susancinsf]

I had tap water everywhere, including top end, starred restaurants, and never had a problem, other than getting enough....in some places we went to, we'd have to ask several times for refills..(also drank out of the tap at the apartment we rented).

Minor stomach problems can and probably will happen just from the stress of travelling, eating at unfamiliar times (keep in mind that you will be turning your time clock around a bit), and in Paris, because, well, you will want to eat more than you might at home. :-)

[Busk]

This is spot on. There are no issues with Paris tap water. I'd be more concerned about poorly handled airline food and water.

I don't buy much bottled water any more in Paris. I use a Brita filter at home, but that is just for taste. I have noted that some restaurants are also filtering their tap water for taste as well, but the truth is, the taste of Paris water is pretty good on its own.

[Pat Hammond]

Any water, other than what you're accustomed to, can cause minor upsets. I was always bothered for a few days going from St. Louis water, to Maine water. I'm a big water drinker. Be prepared with mild over-the-counter medication, if that would reassure you.

[crowsonguy]

There is no truth to the idea that Paris water will cause stomach upsets. What do you think people did before this recent sommercialisation of water??
Just another "urban myth". Paris water is fine; I have never known any visitors to be upset by it.

[Deenso]

There's nothing wrong with the tap water in Paris. It's just that it's different from what we're used to at home. On our first couple of trips, we did drink the water and ended up with stomach upsets. Now, in order to prevent such episodes, we both chew a couple of pre-emptive Pepto Bismol tablets every morning and have no problems. (A side effect of the Pepto is that your tongue might have a black coating on it when you wake up in the morning - it comes off with a light going-over with your toothbrush.)

[DavidT]

Actually, it is probably much more important to drink bottled water on the flight over to Paris from the US (or any other flight, for that matter) than it is to drink bottled water in Paris. There have been some recent studies showing the "tap" water systems on many airplanes are not especially good and are not cleaned and maintained as well as they should be.

[ralph]

I go often for work. The notion of bad tap water is rubbish.

[Nancy S.]

I drank tap water for a month straight in restaurants and in our apartment. And, when out for the day, having lunch in the park, I often refilled my water bottle from the occassion spicket in a park--the water tasted like Evian. I am very sensitive to all matters stomach-related, and I never had a problem. I do agree, however, with the advice of drinking only bottled water on a plane.

[tattud_gurl]

NEVER drink the water on the plane....even hot coffee...or wash your hands with it (carry sanitizer with you). I'm a former flight attendant, and the water on planes is DISGUSTING.

[loren3]

There are procedures that airlines use to regularly "sterilize" airplane potable water systems, and they technically work, so in principle it is safe to drink airline water. But, it is a chemical sterilization system, like if you were to sterilize your brita using household bleach. Safe to drink aftewards? Yes. Tasty? NO! So, on the airline I work for (and most major airlines), they exclusively serve bottled water when they cater. I think you would be hard pressed to be served "tap" water on any flight nowadays. The coffee on the other hand...

[Steve G]

She speaks the truth.

I just read an article in the SF Chron about a local kid who took petri dishes with him on flights and cultured the water.

He found all kinds of bacteria of the variety that causes specific illnesses. Definitely a wakeup call for me, as the airlines were not third world puddle jumpers, but major first world carriers.

[Pete Sucato]

I was there just last month. Not only did I not have any problems, the tap water in my hotel was tasty. -Pete

[cj]

I was the person who advised drinking bottled mineral water to the lady who was going there with 2 young children. A lot of over-reaction in resulting posts. I never intended to say that Paris water or water anywhere else in France is bad or will make one sick. My suggestion was directed to the children mostly, because the bacteria (not a bad word, just a description) in French tap water is DIFFERENT than what one is used to in the US. Some people's digestive systems react poorly to the change. I have travelled to France for vacations of at least 3 weeks every 2-3 years since 1963 and follow this precaution myself now, having had the other problem for many years.

[jenn]

BOSH!!! BOSH and balderdash! For heavens' sake we're talking about Paris, Not a cruise down the amazon!

what a great way to waste money! Parisian tap water is just fine. I've drunk it on every trip and never skipped a beat. We traveled with our family including a 5 year old and no one had the slightest twinge.

People sometimes get a nervous stomach from traveling and adjusting to new environment but that can come just as easily from different butter and richer foods than the water.

Save your money. Ask for "un carafe d'eau, s'il vous plait" unless you are dying for some with gas.

have a great trip.