Toilets in France

[Act2]

It’s been years since I’ve been to France. Last time I went, I believe 2003, it cost half a euro to use most public toilets, even in the airport. I understand in the intervening years there are now more free public toilets. I remember, though, being cautioned to have euro-based coin change in hand when you land at the airport so you could use a public restroom, and being so very grateful for that warning as I rushed to the WC with coin in hand after getting off the plane.

What is the true situation these days? Online sources are contradictory on this. Does one pay to use the toilets in the Paris airport and if so, how much?

 

[dixonge]

https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=46824&stc=1&d=1691839983

(h/t to Urinetown, best musical ever...)

 

[Surewhitey]

Circa 2015...My DW "snuck into" a toilet in Bayonne, grabbing the door as someone exited, not knowing of the self cleaning function. Made for a fun story as it self-locks, sprays who knows what with the lights off... She was screaming the whole way & trying to get out.

That half euro could be more if you want to steal-a-pee...

 

[COcheesehead]

I remember paying at train stations, but never the airport.

 

[sparky08]

Not sure about the airport. But certainly other places.

I have a funny picture of my daughter using Apple pay to get into a toilet somewhere in France.

 

[Alan]

I have a funny picture of my daughter using Apple pay to get into a toilet somewhere in France.

Also known as Apple pee?

 

[REWahoo]

Also known as Apple pee?

You referring to the American restaurant chain where all the ovens in the kitchen are microwave?

 

[Alan]

You referring to the American restaurant chain where all the ovens in the kitchen are microwave?

I’d forgotten about that restaurant chain

 

[StillFiguringItOut]

It’s one euro to use the toilet at the train stations.

 

[Dtail]

You referring to the American restaurant chain where all the ovens in the kitchen are microwave?

I thought that was Red Lobster except for the live lobsters.

 

[Act2]

It’s one euro to use the toilet at the train stations.

Thank you

 

[StillFiguringItOut]

I forgot to mention that the toilets at Charles de Gaulle are free

 

[tulak]

I don’t think I’ve ever paid for the bathroom at an airport in Europe.
But yes, you’ll get charged elsewhere. Not sure how common it is, but it’s nice to see that at least some are accepting contactless payments.

 

[Koolau]

I thought that was Red Lobster except for the live lobsters.

No, no, no, no, no! You mean DEAD Lobster.

 

[Koolau]

I don’t think I’ve ever paid for the bathroom at an airport in Europe.
But yes, you’ll get charged elsewhere. Not sure how common it is, but it’s nice to see that at least some are accepting contactless payments.

I sure hope they don't charge for the pissoir on the streets of Paris. They ought to have to pay YOU to use one. Yuk!

 

[NW-Bound]

^^^ Would that not be considered sexist, as women do not get an equivalent facility?

 

[NW-Bound]

You referring to the American restaurant chain where all the ovens in the kitchen are microwave?

But is that not just like "home-cooked" meals nowadays?

 

[Koolau]

^^^ Would that not be considered sexist, as women do not get an equivalent facility?

I suppose if any woman wanted to "go for it" in the pissoir, no French gentleman would object.



Back when I still went to professional FB games, women often came into the mens room to use the facilities. Lines were too long at the ladies and no lines for the men. What's the big deal? We're all adults, here.

 

[Chuckanut]

I remember a time in Italy where the long lines to the ladies room were shortcut by a large group of young German women who just marched into the men’s room and took over the place. The Italian attendant was jabbering at them about this being forbidden, but he was pretty much helpless.

On a more serious note, I was in a Unisex restroom in a European archeological site where every porcelain facility was in a water closet. Anyway, you go into the water closet, close the door behind you, do your business, and walk out to a wall of sinks. Modesty is protected by being alone in the water closet (literally the size of a good size closet).

 

[dixonge]

^^^ Would that not be considered sexist, as women do not get an equivalent facility?

Why is this dude pissing in a trash can

Here in Mexico, public toilets are generally still 5 pesos (around $0.29 US). They are perfectly fine for a quick pee, but most are minimally sufficient for anything else. Plus you are generally instructed to leave your toilet paper in the trash can. (no, not a typo) In bus stations and airports, etc. it is common to be standing at a urinal and have the cleaning lady walk right behind you to sweep and mop.

Also not uncommon to see dudes pissing up against walls in broad daylight in public. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Koolau]

50 years since I was in Europe but finding a john was often problematic. SO, we planned our trips around stopping back at the hotel (which had facilities down the hall from our room.)



Hawaii is the only state I've been in that often doesn't even have a place for restaurant customers to wash their hands before a meal - let along take a whiz. I find that disgraceful, but I guess you get what you get. Hey, it's Paradise!

 

[audreyh1]

Why is this dude pissing in a trash can

Here in Mexico, public toilets are generally still 5 pesos (around $0.29 US). They are perfectly fine for a quick pee, but most are minimally sufficient for anything else. Plus you are generally instructed to leave your toilet paper in the trash can. (no, not a typo) In bus stations and airports, etc. it is common to be standing at a urinal and have the cleaning lady walk right behind you to sweep and mop.

Also not uncommon to see dudes pissing up against walls in broad daylight in public. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

He’s not - same in Amsterdam they have boxes along some streets where men can take a piss without exposing themselves.

 

[Koolau]

He’s not - same in Amsterdam they have boxes along some streets where men can take a piss without exposing themselves.

Did I ever tell you about Mardi Gras? I learned a man never wants to be in a contest with a woman. 'Nuff said.

 

[braumeister]

He’s not - same in Amsterdam they have boxes along some streets where men can take a piss without exposing themselves.

I've seen such things in other European cities as well. It makes sense since they have drains that go to the sewers.

 

[Koolau]

I've seen such things in other European cities as well. It makes sense since they have drains that go to the sewers.

I wonder if that water (primarily storm drain water) is treated or simply discharged into the Seine (or other rivers in Europe.) I suppose the "additions" are reasonably small.