Where are the best public toilets in Paris and do you have to pay for them?

You'll find a few of the automatic toilets as you wander around. If this is what you're looking for, then yes, you do have to pay to use them. I can't remember when I last saw "toilettes publiques", with an attendant, anywhere in Paris, but they may still exist.

Unless it has closed since Nov 04, there is a toilet to the left when you exit Notre Dame. There was also one just down the hill, again on the left, from Sacre Coeur a few years ago which I'm sure would still be open.

Neither would be a candidate for inclusion in Paris' great architecture but they are functional and require a minimal payment.

Here's a whole list of public toilets around Paris..in Notre dame, Sacre Coeur, etc etc

http://www.slowtrav.com/france/paris/rl_restrooms.htm

Are public toilets star rated as are hotels????

I do not know of a star rating for Paris facilities. But with the experience of Fodors' contributors, I see no reason not to start one.]

I will make the first contribution.
Just on the edge of the Tuilleries Gardens, near Place de la Concorde, across the street from the ground floor tour offices along Rue de Rivoli, there is an attended facility.

I give it 4 stars out of 5. The female in charge of the men's side spoke no English but her French was direct and to the point. She also kept the place clean. I don't mind at all paying for such facilities.

There is also one at the entrance to the Metro station at Montparnasse - Bienvenue as one enters from the entrance to Gare Montparnasse.

I give it 3 stars out of 5.

The ones on the sidewalk outside of
the entrance to Ste. Chapelle and the courts rate 2 stars. As I recall, they were not attended. I do not know if they are still there or not. It has been several years since I used one of them.

So that is at least 2 places for starters. I am sure this widely traveled and very astute group can contribute a large number of other prime Paris locations.

Can't believe with all there is to see and do in Paris one worries about and rates toilets!

Dear John-
When you gotta go, you gotta go!!!

The department stores are where I always stop to go to the restroom. The Mall under the louvre has a good one too.

I have found this to be another great advantage of the museum pass! The rest rooms are usually clean. I think there is a public toilet near the Eiffel tower, can't remember if there was an attendant.

I believe there is one near Madeleine that is art nouveau. Indeed behind Notre Dame is one. The automatic ones cost some centimes.

WALDO
When I gotta go I go. Don't scour Paris for a clean toilet!!

Didn't mean to say I do as the locals--in the street. But half way clean is fine with me especially after being in remote Thailand. LOL
Joyeux Noel

Forty cents seems to be the going rate for the self-contained potties. I remember being asked for 41 cents for the toilet below Sacre Couer. We used an attended toilet near the Tuilleries last April, but I don't think I knew exactly where I was at the time. Nothing like being lost in Paris!

What is the "average" tip for a restroom attendant in Paris? I'm sure it's higher than other countries I've visited with restoom attendants (China, Egypt,Turkey, and Indonesia)

Right John..when you guys use the john..what's to worry about!NOw we ladies>>>>>>>>>>!!!! !!!!!!

The one under Sacre Coeur is now free (used it 2 days ago)and has an attendant. Many public WCs are now free in Paris and those that are not cost only .40 which is a bargain for a clean sanitary WC.

Larry J

I love it! The thread I never expected to see on Fodors!

When in the Latin Quarter, we would always sneak into the McDo's restroom for free! It wasn't a very large rr so you gotta be quick!

Hence Dor's reference to the the 'PissangoMuseum in' the 4th.

<<I think there is a public toilet near the Eiffel tower, can't remember if there was an attendant.>>

There are fabulous public restrooms near the Eiffel Tower with an attendant (while we were there, she was graciously looking after the huge tripod of a gent).