Investigation Reveals Foreign Tourists Charged More In Paris

In a revealing investigation, Le Parisien newspaper has exposed a troubling believe among immoderate Parisian restaurants: hiking nan bills of overseas tourists.

The report, published connected July 22, 2025, reveals really definite establishments successful tourist-heavy areas of nan French superior are systematically charging overseas visitors, peculiarly Americans, overmuch higher prices for nan aforesaid meals served to Parisians. The deceptive tactic, agelong suspected by many, has caused outrage and raised concerns astir nan estimation of Paris arsenic a welcoming metropolis for world holidaymakers.

The investigation, which was conducted by Le Parisien journalists Flavien Gagnepain, Paul Abran, Florian Loisy, and Sarah Krakovitch, on pinch blogger Rabin Malin, progressive an undercover research to corroborate nan suspicions of discriminatory pricing. One journalist posed arsenic an American tourist, complete pinch an Eiffel Tower T-shirt and a straw hat, while 1 of his workfellow acted arsenic a French section astatine a different table. Both ordered identical meals, lasagne, a Coca-Cola, and water, astatine respective restaurants. The results were shocking The alleged “American” was consistently charged more, pinch bills inflated by arsenic overmuch arsenic 50 per cent compared to those of nan “French” customer.

Investigation into tourer overcharging recovered a measure for €10 extra

In 1 establishment, nan French enigma customer had a 33cl tin of Coca-Cola for €6.50 and a complimentary jar of pat water, thing modular successful France. Meanwhile, nan faux American was offered a prime betwixt a “medium” aliases “large” Coca-Cola, only to beryllium served a pint-sized solid costing €9.50, pinch a €6 bottled h2o alternatively of nan free pat water. In different instance, a waiter suggested ail breadstuff without mentioning it was an further €6 charge. The cumulative effect? A measure astir €10 higher for nan American tourist for precisely nan aforesaid meal.

The investigation besides uncovered different manipulative practice: pressuring visitors for tips. In 1 edifice adjacent nan Eiffel Tower, a server falsely claimed that “service is not included,” contempt French rule mandating that service, water, and breadstuff beryllium included successful nan listed price, arsenic confirmed by Franck Trouet of nan Groupement des Hôtelleries et Restaurations (GHR). The American enigma customer was coerced into leaving a €4 tip, further inflating nan last cost. Such strategies utilization taste differences successful tipping norms, arsenic tipping is customary successful nan United States but not astatine each obligatory successful France.

Paris’ estimation tarnished by results of investigation

The results of nan investigation person ignited statement astir nan morals of these practices and their effect connected Paris’s image successful nan tourism industry. The city, still enjoying nan vulnerability of hosting nan 2024 Olympics, has seen an summation successful visitors, peculiarly higher-spending Americans, who, according to nan Paris Chamber of Commerce, walk an mean of €375 per time successful nan city. However, reports of overcharging could tarnish nan city’s image. As 1 X station stated, “It’s not awesome for nan estimation of ‘gay Paris’!”

Honest restaurateurs and manufacture leaders person condemned these practices. Trouet called them “a shame connected nan profession,” and stressed that forcing tips aliases overcharging undermines nan integrity of French hospitality. Some professionals and recreation guides now counsel visitors to insist connected pat h2o (“une carafe d’eau”) and to scrutinise menus for hidden charges to debar falling into “tourist traps.”

The Le Parisien investigation serves arsenic a wake-up telephone for some tourists and nan hospitality industry. Of course, Paris remains a apical world destination, but these revelations item nan request for greater transparency and fairness to guarantee that each visitors, sloppy of nationality, bask an authentic and adjacent acquisition successful nan City of Light.

Credit: This article is based connected nan awesome investigative work of Le Parisien reporters Flavien Gagnepain, Paul Abran, Florian Loisy, and Sarah Krakovitch, published connected July 22, 2025, written astir present to alert English speaking visitors to Paris.