Where to find a free bathroom in Paris

Where to find a free bathroom in Paris

Updated by Vanessa M in July 2023.

Traveling can be difficult: not speaking the language, getting lost in the numerous streets, facing a closed museum… Even if you plan your trip’s every little detail, there will always be an unexpected problem that will force you to change plans. However, there is one problem that every traveler knows and fears most of all: not being able to find a free bathroom when you desperately need one. If you’re traveling with kids, you definitely know what I’m talking about!

Moreover, finding toilets and realizing at the last moment that you have to pay to use them is the worst surprise. If you’re on a budget and don’t want to spend more than you already have, you’re probably on the hunt for free bathrooms everywhere you go! You’ll discover that in Paris there are actually a lot of ways to go to the bathroom freely, but be warned: you have to be okay with the sometimes not-so-clean toilets and with the idea of pushing closed doors… So, if you’re planning a trip to Paris, this article will give you all my insider’s tips on how and where to find a free bathroom in Paris!

Public bathrooms

The first option to go to the toilets in Paris is to find one of the public bathrooms, called sanisettes. You can find them all over the streets of Paris, particularly in the touristy areas such as the first and fourth district. In general, there is one or two next to every big landmark of Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Cathedral Notre-Dame, the Louvre Museum…

You just have to spot a street sign that gives the directions to the bathroom. You can also see the entire map of these bathrooms on -> this link.

The sanisettes have an automated washing system that activates after each person, so they are quite clean (in theory). Most of them (especially those around the big landmarks) are open 24h a day, but some of them open at 6 am and close at 1 am or 10 pm. However, during the day, you might have to wait in line for a moment.

Tip: in every Parisian park or garden, you’ll be able to find a public bathroom so don’t hesitate when you see some green spaces! If you happen to be in a neighborhood without any sanisettes or you just can’t find them, here are some other ways to find free bathrooms.

Malls

Big malls in Paris are free to access and they all have free public bathrooms: it’s the perfect place to go! They are usually pretty large and clean, so don’t hesitate! Here’s a little list of the malls you can go to find free toilets:

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• Galleries Lafayette: one of the most famous malls in Paris; it’s located next to the Garnier Opera House, in front of the metro station Chaussée d’Antin Lafayette or Auber.
• Le Bon Marché: located in the seventh district, just near the metro station Sèvres-Babylone not far from the Luxembourg garden.
• Printemps: a famous chain of malls. You can find one just near the metro station Nation in the twentieth district, one next to the metro station Couronnes in the eleventh district, one next to the metro station Place d’Italie in the thirteenth district, and one near the Louvre, in the first district.
• BHV Marais: located in the fourth district, next to the metro station Hotel de Ville in Rivoli street; it’s not far from Notre-Dame.
• Les Halles: located in the metro station Les Halles next to Châtelet, in the first district. You can access the mall directly from the metro station or outside.

Parking lots

Here’s a pretty unknown option. In some of the underground parking lots in Paris, you’ll find a bathroom. However, be warned that not all of the parking lots have them so don’t wait until the last moment to try this technique you might have a bad surprise! Some of the parking lots I know that have toilets are:

• the parking lot Place Vendôme,
• the parking lot Place de la Concorde,
• a parking lot next to The Louvre or
• the parking lot near Notre-Dame.

These bathrooms won’t probably be the cleanest, but it can really be a life-saver!

Hospitals

Okay, I know what you’re thinking: how will I find a hospital in Paris when I need a bathroom? I’ll agree that hospitals can’t be found on every street, but there are two hospitals that are located near big Parisian monuments that you’ll maybe visit.

The public bathrooms in those areas are often crowded, so this is a better option.

• Hospital Hôtel-Dieu: just on your left when you’re facing Notre-Dame, on the Cité Island
• Hospital Necker: located next to the Montparnasse Tower in the fifteenth district. From the tower, take the Maine Avenue and turn left in Vaugirard street.

Don’t be shy, enter the hospitals and look for the bathroom sign. These are public spaces so everyone has the right to enter!

Cafés, restaurants and bars

The last option on this list! You can try to find a bar, a restaurant or a café: they all have free bathrooms. However, some of them will ask you to buy a drink or a meal in order to use their toilets. My advice: ask politely a waiter if you can use their bathroom. They’ll let you use them a lot of the times, and if they ask you to buy something you can still decline and continue your search. You should ask them in French (and with a big smile), they’ll be more willing to help you if you show that you’re doing!

The sentences you should know when asking for the bathroom:
“Bonjour, est-ce que je peux utiliser vos toilettes s’il-vous-plaît?” – Hello, may I use your bathroom, please?
“Tant pis” – Too bad (if they refuse)
And of course: “Merci beaucoup!” – Thank you so much!

However, this technique is more adapted for solo travelers (especially for girls). The waiters won’t let you use their bathrooms if you’re a group or a family, they’re not that accommodative.

Read also; 10 Dreamiest Hotel Suites of Paris

Museums

Photo by Max Rahubovskiy from Pexels

At the risk of seeming like a cultural snob, Paris’s free museums function as excellent public restrooms;

• The Musée Carnavalet is in the Marais
• The Petit Palais is immediately west of Place de la Concorde
• The Musée de la Vie Romantique is in the 9th, a little south-east of the Moulin Rouge
•  The Musée Bourdelle is located near the Tour Montparnasse 
• The Musée des Arts et Métiers is located in Saint-Martin-des-Champs, in the Rue Réaumur.
• The Pompidou center  offers a public restroom on the entrance level that is free to use (3rd arrondissement)
• The Notre Dame  public restroom is located outside and south of the cathedral — look for the “WC” (4th arrondissement).

After you’ve found and used the museum restrooms, you might wish to remain a while and look around the permanent exhibits (exhibitions normally require a paid ticket) or, in the case of the Musée de la Romantique and Petit Palais, even have tea at one of the museums’ wonderful cafés.

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Metro and Train Stations

Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV from Pexels

The majority of metro stations and train stations will offer public restrooms, albeit they are not always simple to find, and when you do, they are sometimes inoperable, which may be rather aggravating. Furthermore, they are not always the cleanest of toilets, as opposed to the Sanisettes, which are disinfected after each use, including the floor.

5 Useful Tips for Finding a Free Bathroom in Paris

Finding a free bathroom in Paris can be difficult at times but it is feasible with a little knowledge. Here are some helpful hints for finding a free restroom in Paris:

Toilet Talk: Using the terms “bathroom” or “restroom” in Paris is unlikely to get the desired result. These names are not often used because most bathrooms do not contain a toilet. Instead, look for a familiar image or the words Toilettes and W.C. If you see the term “lavabo,” don’t confuse it with “lavatory”; the term “lavabo” actually means “washbasin.”

Photo by Emmanuel Codden from Pexels

Paris Toilet App: This is a smart device application named “Toilets of Paris” that is accessible on iOS and Android. Although not always accurate, it may provide more possibilities in finding Paris public bathrooms. This software will include restaurants, cafes, and a variety of other options in your search, but it does not provide the exact location of the toilet. Using a drop pin on the map, the software simply indicates the location of a toilet.

Paris Toilet Website: I recommend bookmarking this website on your smartphone before you travel to Paris. Despite its French content, the tool is self-explanatory. Simply enter your address or Arrondissement and it will display the sanisettes closest to you.

Fee: Since 2006, most public toilets have been free, however, those in train stations and shopping malls, such as the Carrousel du Louvre, may charge a nominal price to use. Many restrooms are pay-only, with an attendant who will charge you to enter. Keep the modest change and a variety of coins on you at all times. There may be an attendant present at times, but there may also be a machine that requires exact change.

Photo by Max Rahubovskiy from Pexels

Gender-specific restrooms: In France, women have no problem utilizing the men’s restroom if there is a long line for the ladies (and sometimes you’ll see males exiting a women’s lavatory). This is not a “big deal” in France, especially as most WCs have enclosed rooms with a full door (see photo above), rather than stalls that someone may peer over/under.

You now have all the tips you need to find a free bathroom in Paris which means you don’t have any excuses left to stay home, so pack your bags and come join us in the most beautiful city in the world! I hope to see you soon in one of our tours!