Where can I find public toilets in Paris?

Where can I find public toilets in Paris, please?

“Où se trouve les toilettes, s’il vous plait?”

Wondering where to find public toilets in Paris and being prepared (and indeed throughout France), can be tricky – but there are some solutions so  you’re in luck …

A little cultural tip – the word ‘toilet’ is not generally used by many Americans, who are more familiar with asking for the ‘bathroom’. If you ask for a bathroom in Paris, people will think you wish to take a shower or bath.

So learn to say ‘toilette’ and you’ll be fine :-) (It sounds like “twah-lette”.)

You will notice these public toilets in the streets of Paris, and despite your misgivings, they are completely clean and sanitary.

They are called SANISETTES.

They are made of fibreglass, and as soon as someone exits and closes the door, it locks. The toilet module is then cleaned from top-to-bottom and disinfected, ready for the next person. The whole process is extremely fast, so if you’re waiting outside, it won’t be for long.

The toilettes are free – the sign ‘Acces Gratuit’ means ‘Free access’.

If you’d like to plan your toilet stops in advance, this website will help tremendously:

• List of Paris sanisettes by arrondissement(in french)
• Also check out the well-known tourist site ParisInfo.com in English
  • Free public, self-cleaning toilets accessible to disabled people, in Paris, known as ‘sanisettes’.
• this site has an excellent MAP — https://www.eutouring.com/map_public_toilets_paris.html

You can also find toilets in Starbucks

But you may need to make a purchase in order to get the key to the toilet, or hover outside the toilet door until someone comes out, and ask them for the key.

Large Stores

The larger stores like Galleries Lafayette, Printemps etc will of course have toilets/restroom if you are near them.

Cafes – more modern in 2018

If you choose to use the loo (toilet) in an older cafe, you might be surprised to be confronted with a Turkish Toilet – two shoe prints on the ground and a gaping hole. In the past these have been generally very smelly and totaly impractical for women as squatting down and trying to prevent your clothing from touching the floor is a feat reserved for only the best contortionists.

It’s always a good idea to have a small packet of tissues (Kleenex) in your bag – just in case — BUT do not flush the tissues!! They might block the sewerage system, so put them in a bin if possible.

Got any suggestions for more public toilets?

If you know of other public toilets, drop me a note by clicking the ADD A COMMENT link below – thanks! Have fun :-)

A pocket size book about public toilets in Paris

PS – if you’d like to buy a small ebook which includes maps of all the Sanisette public toilets in Paris, the website is here >>