Ist das Leitungswasser in Kroatien trinkbar?

Yes, the Tapwater in Croatia is drinkable . Only local water resources require caution, as they are not subject to the strict requirements of Croatian water policy.

Woher kommt das Trinkwasser in Kroatien?

Tapwater in Croatia comes partly from surface water and partly from groundwater . The main suppliers are numerous rivers and springs throughout the country.

Kann man das Leitungswasser auf Krk trinken?

Yes , you can drink the Tapwater on Krk. In fact, the island is particularly proud of its exceptionally pure and good water.

Kann man das Leitungswasser in Istrien trinken?

The Tapwater in Istria is safe to drink . It is only characterized by a high lime content, which means that various appliances often need to be descaled.

Kann man das Leitungswasser in Split trinken?

Yes , you can also drink the water in Split without any problems.

France: Drink Tapwater ?

France attracts millions of people from near and far every year as a vacation destination. It offers unique cultural experiences, good food, excellent wine and a varied landscape. Are you already planning your next vacation in France? Then there is one more important question to clarify in addition to the planned vacation program: Can you drink Tapwater in France? We'll clear it up! In this Guidebook you will learn...

... whether Tapwater is drinkable in France,
... exactly what the drinking and bathing water quality is like,
... what regional differences there are,
... where the drinking water in France comes from,
... where you can get Tapwater on the road
... and how to ensure clean water on campsites, in hotels and the like.

Content of this article

Author:
Position:
Updated on: 03.03.2025

Share now!

Can you drink Tapwater in France?

According to the French Ministry of Health, Tapwater in France is of good quality and meets the values set by the EU. In 2020, 98.2% of the population was supplied with microbiologically safe water. ¹

As in Germany, French drinking water is also subject to regular controls. You can therefore drink Tapwater in most of the country.

But beware!

According to the Ministry of Health, Tapwater is safe to drink in France, but there is still a certain risk because:

There are some substances that cannot be filtered out by public water treatment systems.
The limit values set by the EU are too high in some cases and by no means cover all pollutants.
Outdated pipes can lead to lead, copper and other heavy metals being released at any time.

You can find out more in the Guidebook "Why filter water?".

What about the quality of the bathing water?

In France, the quality of bathing water is significantly worse than the quality of drinking water. Compared to other vacation destinations in Europe, such as Italy, Croatia or Spain, France scores less well in terms of bathing water quality. Only 75.7% of bathing waters are classified as "excellent" and 3% as poor. ²

Drinking water quality in France: problems with nitrate and pesticides

However, there are problems with nitrate and pesticide contamination of drinking water in France. As early as 2011, the European Commission called on the country to do more to counteract water pollution caused by nitrates. ³

In the meantime, however, the situation has improved considerably. Assessments of drinking water quality in 2020 show that 99.1% of the population was supplied with water that meets the legal limit for nitrate of 50 mg/L. In contrast, around 592,000 inhabitants were supplied with water that did not meet this value. ⁴

The situation is somewhat worse in terms of pesticide contamination, but improvements can be seen here too. In 2016, a particularly low level of 86.1% of water complied with the limit values. In 2020, the value rose to 94.1 %. ⁵ So there is still an urgent need for action here!

Tapwater in France: Regional differences

Due to the problems with nitrate and pesticide contamination of tap water in France, there is an increased risk of contamination , particularly in agricultural areas. In addition, the chlorine content of the water varies from region to region and in some places significantly affects the taste and smell.

The French health authority provides an information platform on regional drinking water quality. Information on Tapwater can be called up there for any location in France. Various parameters are listed as well as their (non-)compliance and anomalies with regard to the appearance, smell and taste of the water. ⁶

It is best to find out before your next vacation in France whether the Tapwater at your destination is drinkable or not.

Drinking water quality in Paris: how good is the Tapwater?

In Paris, Tapwater meets European drinking water standards and can generally be consumed. The water comes from groundwater sources and the Seine, is purified with activated carbon and ultrafiltration and is considered safe^.7

However, the chlorine taste, which is particularly strong in the summer months, is a real spoilsport - not only does it taste unpleasant, but long-term consumption can also put a strain on the stomach.⁸ In older Parisian buildings, such as the charming old buildings in the Marais, there is also the danger of outdated lead pipes, which can release heavy metals into the water. Instead of buying plastic bottles and producing mountains of waste, it is worth using a water filter with activated carbon. This can filter out pollutants and ensure a fresh taste straight from the tap.

Tapwater on the Côte d'Azur: drinkable or not?

On the Côte d'Azur, from Nice to Saint-Tropez, the drinking water comes from sources such as the Verdon system, is treated according to EU standards and is considered officially drinkable. Nevertheless, the high lime content, typical of this region, clouds the drinking pleasure, and the strong chlorination in summer makes for a bland aftertaste.

This excess chlorine not only tastes bad, but could also cause digestive problems if consumed continuously (WHO, drinking water guidelines). In older villas or hotels, for example in the narrow streets of Antibes, old pipes exacerbate the problem. Corroded pipes can release heavy metals such as copper or lead. Despite strict controls, many residents therefore prefer bottled water, as confidence in the pipes suffers.

A water filter with activated carbon is the clever solution here: it removes pollutants and chlorine, protects against impurities and saves you the plastic waste of bottled water - perfect for a sustainable vacation on the Riviera.

Drinking water in France: where does it come from?

France obtains its drinking water from a total of 33,070 water abstraction points. The majority of these draw water from groundwater sources and a smaller proportion from above-ground resources such as rivers, lakes or reservoirs. The water is then distributed via 24,100 distribution networks.

France: Order Tapwater in a restaurant?

In France, it is customary to order Tapwater with your meal in a restaurant. According to decree no. 25-268 of June 8, 1967, restaurants must serve Tapwater free of charge on request.⁷So don't be afraid to ask for Tapwater when you visit a restaurant. It is best to ask for a "carafe d'eau", i.e. a carafe of water.

Where can you fill up Tapwater in France?

Are you on a sightseeing or shopping tour and don't want to go to the nearest restaurant to get a drink? No problem, especially in the larger cities you have numerous opportunities to fill up your drinking water bottle. There is even an interactive map of Paris, the capital of France, which lists all the fountains. ⁸

But be careful: don't just drink from any fountain. These are not necessarily connected to the public tap water network. Normally, all fountains are signposted accordingly:

"Eau non potable" means that the water is not drinkable.
"Eau potable" means that you can drink the water.

Clean drinking water when camping, in hotels & co.

Whether you are spending your vacation in France on a campsite, in a hotel or in a vacation home, always ask on site whether the Tapwater is safe to drink.

After all, it is not only the regional conditions that affect the quality of the drinking water. The condition of the local pipelines also has a significant influence on the purity of the water. If the pipes are outdated or not properly maintained, unwanted pollutants can get into the water.

If you want to enjoy Tapwater on site without any worries, we recommend using a drinking water filter. This purifies the water and reduces heavy metals, germs, bacteria and much more. At Alb Filter, you can even find special water filters for your motorhome. These can either be installed for refueling from the outside or permanently installed behind the water tank.

Tapwater in France: a real treat?!

In principle, you can drink Tapwater in France, at least some of the time. However, drinking water quality may be impaired in some regions. You are always on the safe side with a water filter. You can cleverly avoid possible contamination by bacteria, pesticides and undesirable changes in taste caused by chlorine.

At this point, there is only one thing left to say: Bon voyage!

FAQs about Tapwater in France

Here you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about drinking water in France.

What is the quality of drinking water in France?

Drinking water quality is very good for the most part. However, nitrate and pesticide contamination can occur in places. Caution is therefore advised, especially in agricultural areas!

Is the water in France chlorinated?

Yes, the water in France is chlorinated to better combat germs and bacteria. The chlorine content differs from region to region.

Can you drink water from the tap in Paris?

Yes, you can drink Tapwater in Paris. But beware: some of the water in France's capital is heavily chlorinated. It could therefore smell and taste unpleasant.