In a revealing investigation, Le Parisien newspaper has exposed a troubling practice among some Parisian restaurants: hiking the bills of foreign tourists. The report, published on July 22, 2025, reveals how certain establishments in tourist-heavy areas of the French capital are systematically charging foreign visitors, particularly Americans, much higher prices for the same meals served to Parisians. The deceptive tactic, long suspected by many, has caused outrage and raised concerns about the reputation of Paris as a welcoming city for international holidaymakers. The investigation, which was conducted by Le Parisien journalists Flavien Gagnepain, Paul Abran, Florian Loisy, and Sarah Krakovitch, along with blogger Rabin Malin, involved an undercover experiment to confirm the suspicions of discriminatory pricing. One journalist posed as an American tourist, complete with an Eiffel Tower T-shirt and a straw hat, while one of his colleague acted as a French local at a different table. Both ordered identical meals, lasagne, a Coca-Cola, and water, at several restaurants. The results were shocking The so-called “American” was consistently charged more, with bills inflated by as much as 50 per cent compared to those of the “French” customer. Investigation into tourist overcharging found a bill for €10 extra In one establishment, the French mystery customer had a 33cl can of Coca-Cola for €6.50 and a complimentary jar of tap water, something standard in France. Meanwhile, the faux American was offered a choice between a “medium” or “large” Coca-Cola, only to be served a pint-sized glass costing €9.50, with a €6 bottled water instead of the free tap water. In another instance, a waiter suggested garlic bread without mentioning it was an additional €6 charge. The cumulative effect? A bill nearly €10 higher for the American tourist for exactly the same meal. The investigation also uncovered another manipulative practice: pressuring tourists for tips. In one restaurant near the Eiffel Tower, a server falsely claimed that “service is not included,” despite French law mandating that service, water, and bread be included in the listed price, as confirmed by Franck Trouet of the Groupement des Hôtelleries et Restaurations (GHR). The American mystery customer was coerced into leaving a €4 tip, further inflating the final cost. Such tactics exploit cultural differences in tipping norms, as tipping is customary in the United States but not at all obligatory in France. Paris’ reputation tarnished by results of investigation The results of the investigation have ignited debate about the ethics of these practices and their impact on Paris’s image in the tourism industry. The city, still enjoying the exposure of hosting the 2024 Olympics, has seen an increase in visitors, particularly higher-spending Americans, who, according to the Paris Chamber of Commerce, spend an average of €375 per day in the city. However, reports of overcharging could tarnish the city’s image. As one X post stated, “It’s not great for the reputation of ‘gay Paris’!” Honest restaurateurs and industry leaders have condemned these practices. Trouet called them “a shame on the profession,” and stressed that forcing tips or overcharging undermines the integrity of French hospitality. Some professionals and travel guides now advise tourists to insist on tap water (“une carafe d’eau”) and to scrutinise menus for hidden charges to avoid falling into “tourist traps.” The Le Parisien investigation serves as a wake-up call for both tourists and the hospitality industry. Of course, Paris remains a top global destination, but these revelations highlight the need for greater transparency and fairness to ensure that all visitors, regardless of nationality, enjoy an authentic and fair experience in the City of Light. Credit: This article is based on the fantastic investigative work of Le Parisien reporters Flavien Gagnepain, Paul Abran, Florian Loisy, and Sarah Krakovitch, published on July 22, 2025, written about here to alert English speaking tourists to Paris.