508752 Sat Apr 12 15:35:31 -0700 2008 15 49 France 0 3588025 As my trip to Paris nears, I'm wondering whether I should bring a refillable bottle for tap water or buy bottled water. I've never heard anything negative about the safety of Paris tap water, but how does it taste? Sat Apr 12 15:35:32 -0700 2008 12677 phoebek 1 3588200 Water in Paris is perfectly safe to drink, and tastes fine to me(much, much better than tap water in my town in northern California which comes from well water). If you can read french and are interested to know more about the topic: http://www.eaudeparis.fr/ I also like a lot of different french bottled waters, but with the strengthening of the euro, on the last trip, in restaurants, we asked for carafes of tap unless we specifically wanted sparkling. Sat Apr 12 17:01:37 -0700 2008 3588025 153308 souvenir 1 3588227 I drink a lot of bottled water in Paris, but not in restaurants. The tap water is perfectly fine, and leaves more euros to spend on wine! Sat Apr 12 17:11:02 -0700 2008 3588025 52499 ChefJune 1 3588264 I found the tap water in Paris to be fine in taste and only bought bottled water at the marche for our room.. Sat Apr 12 17:22:49 -0700 2008 3588025 97452 Beach Chick 1 3588335 I find the tap water in France (outside of Paris) to be generally very good, so I do not order bottled water, but in Paris, the tap water, though perfectly safe, does not taste good, certainly not nearly as good as New York water, so in Paris we order bottled in restaurants. Sat Apr 12 17:57:05 -0700 2008 3588025 126803 rrems 1 3588365 Paris water is hard, leaves calcium deposits on glasses in the dishwasher. Perfectly OK to ask for it in a restaurant instead of bottled water. I always blame it on my slight stomach upset the first few days I'm in Paris. Couldn't be the rillettes or the steak tartare! Sat Apr 12 18:11:08 -0700 2008 3588025 13003 whs 1 3589675 Thanks to everyone who responded. I agree with ChefJune about saving my euros for wine, so I'll bring my trusty bottle and see whether or not I like the taste of l'eau de Paris! Sun Apr 13 10:13:14 -0700 2008 3588025 12677 phoebek 2 3589839 A couple of years ago the city hall in Paris issued carafes to restaurants in which they could serve tap water. The Parisians are very proud of the quality of their water system. They have one of the oldest sewage systems in the world. They even have a museum and tour - "Musée des Egouts de Paris" on the left bank near Pont de l'Alma. It is actually good fun - and not that smelly. Sun Apr 13 11:24:00 -0700 2008 3589675 64584 PhilD 3 3590119 I loved that tour! I had thought about suggesting it, and then thought perhaps it only fits into the category of people who want to eventually go to all 300+ museums in Paris, at least once. We first went made a visit on a very hot early summer day, and as PhilD says, not that smelly and wonderfully cool. I found the history fascinating. Since then have suggested it a few friends who are frequent visitors to Paris, and they also enjoyed it. Here is the info link: http://www.paris.org/Musees/Egouts/info.html Sun Apr 13 13:11:29 -0700 2008 3589839 153308 souvenir 4 3592578 How does one order "tap water" in French? What should we say? Thanks! Mon Apr 14 09:54:03 -0700 2008 3590119 175750 crispychick 5 3592627 You simply say: <<Une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plaît.>> Mon Apr 14 10:05:05 -0700 2008 3592578 13522 Dodo 1 3613301 We moved from Hoboken NJ to Brooklyn NY 2 years ago and that insignificant change cause me many days of stomach issues. So on our trip to Paris this week, and I suggest this for any of you who have weak stomachs to blend the bottled with the tap water in increments over the course of 2 days. I don't think its a question about safe, its the change is all. Sun Apr 20 19:12:23 -0700 2008 3588025 58211 Ljubitca 1 3618161 As others have mentioned, the tap water is fine, and if it's offered we drink it. However, we usually order a large bottle of water to have with dinner, as well as a bottle of wine, just because we enjoy it. Sandy Tue Apr 22 07:41:55 -0700 2008 3588025 17266 sandypaws3 1 3630048 Paris tap water is safe and has a clean taste, so a refillable bottle would make sense, more euros for chow and wine. It also makes sense, as already stated, when in a bistro or restaurant to ask for a carafe of tap. This has no charge. Many places when you ask for water will automatically bring a bottle of sparkling, which has a charge. Have fun! Fri Apr 25 13:33:02 -0700 2008 3588025 57432 bb22 1 3632682 Since I generally prefer still to sparkling, Paris tap water was fine, with no ill effects! Sat Apr 26 18:21:21 -0700 2008 3588025 12677 phoebek 1 3635487 We are currently in Paris - and there are no ill effects of the water but I dont care for the taste. But no real complaints. Mon Apr 28 02:02:03 -0700 2008 3588025 58211 Ljubitca