Foreign Tourists Charged Up to 50% More.. Exposé on Paris Restaurants by Local Media

[Financial News]  An exposé has emerged that restaurants in Paris, France are overcharging foreign tourists.

According to the French daily Le Parisien on the 23rd (local time), foreign tourists visiting Paris are paying up to 50% more than locals at tourist spots.

Le Parisien conducted an experiment to verify the claims of tourists about overcharging in Paris.

A journalist disguised as an American tourist, wearing a T-shirt with the Eiffel Tower and a baseball cap, visited a cafe near the Eiffel Tower with a real Parisian citizen.

The two sat at different tables and ordered lasagna and drinks, and secretly filmed the process.

The French person received a 6.5 euro (about 10,500 won) can of cola and free water. In contrast, the journalist disguised as an American was informed that only medium or large sizes were available for cola, eventually ordering a 9.5 euro (15,000 won) 0.5-liter can. Additionally, the journalist was not provided with free water and had to order bottled mineral water for 6 euros (about 9,700 won).

In fact, American tourists met by Le Parisien in downtown Paris reacted to the restaurant water charges by saying, "Even when asking for water, they always brought a paid bottle of mineral water," and "I thought you always had to pay for water in restaurants."

Later, the undercover team moved to another nearby restaurant to compare tipping policies.

As a result, the French person received a bill with the legally mandated 10% service charge included, but the journalist disguised as an American was asked whether to add a tip, as the service was not included in the amount. Also, when entering a 10% tip during card payment, it was later discovered that the waiter secretly changed it to 15%.

Additionally, some restaurants in Paris were found to deceive foreigners by selling cheap wine at high prices.

A sommelier disguised as a foreign tourist ordered a 9 euro (about 14,500 won) Chablis. However, the cheapest 5 euro (about 8,000 won) Sauvignon Blanc from the menu was actually served, and the bill was charged at 9 euros (about 14,500 won).

Economic expert Marc Magier criticized the overcharging practices of Paris restaurants, calling it "daylight robbery and exploitation of the weak," and said, "They know tourists are tired and don't understand well, so they overcharge them this way."

Frank Trouet, a spokesperson for the French Hotel and Restaurant Association (GHR), called it "an insult to the industry," explaining, "In France, tap water and bread are free, and bottled water can be refused." He emphasized, "Tips are voluntary if the service is satisfactory and are never mandatory."

newssu@fnnews.com Kim Su-yeon Reporter