The epic tale of a thirsty man: in search of a glass of drinking water in Paris's public establishments

The sun has reached its zenith, the mercury is around thirty degrees and the heat waves are hitting the concrete streets of Paris with full force. There is no doubt, the heatwave is just around the corner . However, according to a survey conducted by UFC-Que Choisir published this Thursday, June 19, only 52% of establishments open to the public (ERP) across the country, namely museums, hotels, places of worship, train stations and shopping centers, have drinking water points. A number that is far too low if we stick to the Agec law (anti-waste for a circular economy) of January 2022, which required ERPs to install them and clearly indicate them.

To conduct the survey, 80 volunteers from UFC-Que Choisir, working with the No Plastic in My Sea association, visited 247 establishments spread across the country between March and May 2025. They checked for the presence of a water point, signage, and the actual possibility of refilling a water bottle. Following their lead, Libération did the same in Paris.

In the premises of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, air conditioning helps cool the building and, at the same time, the hundreds of students who pile in as exams roll in. Just a few meters from the entrance, a perfectly functional water fountain sits on the ochre carpet. The problem: there's no signage to help you find it. Hidden next to the restrooms, it's difficult to spot without thoroughly scanning the room or, as we did, asking politely at the reception desk. Let's not ask too much; our water bottle fills and empties immediately, given the heat.

According to the UFC-Que Choisir survey, cultural spaces remain the best-equipped public buildings. Conversely, the equipment rate in shopping centers is considered a "black spot," at 45%. As proof, at La Samaritaine, this department store in Paris's 1st arrondissement, it's impossible at first glance to get a drink. So, between the aisles filled with luxury goods, we ask the two concierges at the reception desk for information. The first, taken aback, looks at his colleague: "Uh... do we have water fountains here?" The second, doubtful: "Maybe on -1, at the back on the right." We head to the cosmetics floor. We follow the indicated path... only to come face to face with a temporary hair salon. Chanel perfumes, Prada lipsticks, but no water source in sight. No choice but to console ourselves with the (hot) water from the toilets.

On the other hand, according to the UFC-Que Choisir survey, SNCF train stations are also on the up. Progress has been observed, even if they remain "largely under-equipped." So, head to the Gare de Lyon. Standing in front of the forecourt under construction, flooded with taxis as well as bicycles, sweat beads on foreheads, and everyone watches for the slightest patch of shade. Inside, several hand sanitizer stations are mistaken for water fountains. First instinct: turn to the bottled water from the bakery next door. At €4.40 for 50 cl, we'll pass. Especially since the 2022 Agec law specifically planned to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics thanks to water points. Beyond purchasing power, it's our ecological conscience that is awakening, reminding us that this will mean one less plastic bottle out of the 15 billion put on the French market each year.

After several trips back and forth between the station's various concourses, dodging overwhelmed travelers dragging their feet, we landed after a good fifteen minutes in front of a fountain, barely recognizable. The problem: it worked half the time, and our water bottle was only half full. At the same time, an SNCF announcement ironically advised us to stay hydrated.

When they exist, water points remain barely visible and poorly signposted. Of the 128 water points visited by UFC-Que Choisir, only 22 establishments, or 9% of the total sample, have installed directional signage, which is required by law.

Yet the potential is there. During the Paris Olympics , the combination of highly visible fountains, compliant signage, and an effective information campaign "helped reduce the use of plastic bottles by a factor of three compared to the London Games," reports UFC-Que Choisir.

By the end of the day, our throats are dry, our saliva thick, and our backs are soaked. We decide to return to the forecourt of the town hall, one of the most popular fan zones during the Games. Back then, water fountains sprang up all over the venue. Months later, just as many tourists flock there, but there's no sign of water in sight. This time, our water bottle will remain empty.