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What is the tourist tax.

Verified 02 June 2021 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Some municipalities may require holidaymakers staying in their territory to pay a tourist tax.

How do I know the amount of the tourist tax?

Tourist tax is payable per person per night. The amount varies:

• according to the type of accommodation (hotel, furnished tourist, camping, etc.)
• and depending on whether the accommodation is classified or not.

To find out the amount of the tourist tax payable, you can consult this online service:

Tourist tax rates per municipality

In addition, the amount of the tax must be displayed at the lodger, the hotelier or the owner of the accommodation and appear on the invoice given to the vacationer

It can also be consulted in the town hall or at the tourist office concerned.

Who has to pay the tourist tax?

The tourist tax must be paid by the holidaymaker who stays in one of the following accommodation units:

• Tourist hotel
• Tourist residence
• Furnished tourist goods or holiday rental between private individuals (including room with a local)
• Bed & Breakfast
• Holiday village
• Outdoor accommodations (camping, caravan, camper vans and tourist parking)

The holidaymaker must pay the tourist tax:

• to the lodger, the hotelier or the owner
• or the professional who provides the internet booking service on behalf of the lodger, the hotelier, the owner.

The amount thus collected is then repaid to the municipality.

Some people are exempt:

• Child under 18 years
• Holder of a seasonal employment contract employed in the municipality
• Beneficiary of emergency accommodation or temporary relocation
• Person occupying premises whose rent is less than an amount determined by the municipal council

Please note

if you can prove that you are resident in the municipality, you do not have to pay the tourist tax on that municipality, even if you have a residence in another municipality.

To find out the rules applicable to your place of stay, it is possible to contact the City Hall:

Who shall I contact

Statute and miscellaneous references.

General code of local and regional authorities: Articles L2333-26 to L2333-47

Tourist tax in real and flat-rate form: general provisions

General code for local and regional authorities: Articles L2333-29 to L2333-31

Base, rate and exemption from tourist tax

General code of local and regional authorities: Articles R2333-43 to R2333-57

Tourist tax in real and flat-rate form: common provisions

General code of regional and local authorities: Article L5211-21

Decision to apply an inter-municipal residence tax

General code of regional and local authorities: Article R5211-6

Online services and forms

Search tools

Tourist tax: what are the rates?

Additional topics

Tourist accommodation tax

Tourist tax

Ministry of Economy

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What Is France’s Tourist Tax (Taxe de Sejour) and Who Pays It?

Essential Reading

If you’re visiting France as a tourist or own a gite , chambre d’hôte, or campsite that you rent out, you need to know about the taxe de séjour or tourist tax, which is added to all payments. Here are all the details.

Why is there a tourist tax in France?

The tourist tax in France is collected by the area in which you stay in order to fund tourism. For example, it may be used to produce local brochures and maps aimed at attracting visitors. It can be used to renovate and update local tourist attractions such as museums and parks or for events geared toward tourism such as festivals. It can also be used to pay for extra seasonal workers who may be needed for activities or working on beaches as additional lifeguards or litter pickers, etc.

In short, it is invested to further the local tourist industry.

How much is the tourist tax (taxe de séjour)?

The Tourist Tax is calculated based on the capacity of the particular tourist accommodation, be it a campsite, a gite, a hotel, or other accommodation. It is charged on a per person, per night basis and is typically between €0.20 to €4.20 depending on the accommodation rating.

Who needs to pay the taxe de séjour?

The holidaymaker pays the tourist tax at the establishment that they have booked. It is not normally included in the reservation price but should be made clear in the terms and conditions when booking, and the amount should be clearly noted on your invoice.

It is a separate charge, and the establishment is collecting it on behalf of the local authority, and accommodation providers are duty bound to display the price of the local Tourist Tax. This information can also be found at the local Mairie.

All forms of tourist accommodation are affected by this tax except those in Rural Regeneration Zones or those subject to specific exonerations.

Prices can vary depending on the Departement, commune and classement of the establishment. For example, five-star accommodation tourists will pay more than holidaymakers staying in a two-star establishment.

You may be exempt from paying this tax if you permanently live and work in the same area – ask your Marie for advice.

How do I pay the tourist tax?

Holidaymakers will pay this charge based on a per adult, per night rate at the establishment either by cash, cheque, card or bank transfer.

Charges are set by the local area and can range from as little as forty centimes per adult per night to five euros or more.

The establishment will typically register and transmit this payment via an online system to the relevant authority. It may be made monthly, quarterly or seasonally by the establishment depending on the requirements of the area.

It may seem strange to those who are unaccustomed to paying what can be seen as an ‘additional’ charge when you arrive at your holiday accommodation; however, with the funds being used to reinvest in the local tourist economy, perhaps it is no surprise that France welcomes, on average, over ninety million tourists each year!

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Carol, a teacher from Hurworth in Darlington, lives in Charente in South-West France, where she runs La Grue Gites with her family.

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Paris Is Going to Be More Expensive for Travelers in 2024 — Here's Why

Paris' tourism tax increase was implemented on Jan. 1.

Alexander Spatari/Getty Images

Visiting Paris is about to get a bit more expensive as the city raised taxes on hotels and other accommodations at the beginning of the year.

The increase, which went into effect on Jan. 1, charges travelers up to nearly 200 percent more in nightly tax to stay in 2024, Atout France, the country’s tourism development agency confirmed to Travel + Leisure. The tax increase varies based on the type of accommodation. 

The largest increase is for travelers staying in “palaces.” Those tourists will have to pay a nightly tax of €14.95 ($16.38), a 199 percent increase compared to the 2023 rate of €5 ($5.48). Travelers in 5-star accommodations will have to pay a nightly rate of €10.73 ($11.75), a 186 percent increase compared to the 2023 rate of €3.75 ($4.11), and travelers in 4-star hotels will have to pay a new rate of €8.13 ($8.91), a 182 percent increase compared to the 2023 rate of €2.88 ($3.15). 

Travelers staying in 1-star hotels, holiday villages, guest rooms, or hostels will have a more modest increase with the new rate of €2.60 ($2.85), compared to the 2023 rate of €1 ($1.10).

The decision to raise taxes comes months ahead of the much-anticipated Paris Olympics . Hotel prices have been on the rise leading up to the games, averaging more than 300 percent higher than normal for this summer. Overall, Paris expects more than 11 million visitors to head to the city for the event, which kicks off July 26.

Paris is also not alone in raising taxes. Amsterdam similarly approved a city tourist tax increase for this year, requiring visitors to pay 12.5 percent. The tax will apply to both travelers staying overnight and visiting on cruise ships. 

Some destinations are adding new taxes for travelers, like Iceland, which will start charging travelers in an effort to support the country’s climate and sustainability goals, and Venice, which plans to implement a fee for day trippers this spring in addition to the tax it already charges overnight guests.

Saturday, April 13, 2024 9:12 am (Paris)

• Paris 2024 Olympics

Paris hotels angry over tourist tax hike ahead of 2024 Olympics

The government is set to triple the tax paid by visitors on nights at hotels, which currently ranges from €0.25 to €5 a night.

Le Monde with AFP

Time to 1 min.

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Paris hoteliers were up in arms on Tuesday, December 19, over a government plan to triple the tax paid by visitors on nights at hotels next year when the capital hosts the Olympics. The government has said the 200% increase in the tourist tax will help fund public transport.

The tourist tax in Paris currently varies from €0.25 ($0.27) a night for the most basic accommodation to €5 ($5.5) a night for luxurious establishments. The government is to triple that fee as part of its 2024 budget, which it plans to ram through parliament without a vote before Christmas.

"It's another blow for the competitiveness of our sector as well as France's image at a time when all attention is on the Paris 2024 Olympics," the UMIH hotel and restaurant union and GNC group of hotel chains said in a statement. The syndicates claimed it would "amount to €423 million in tax collected a year – far more than the €200 million" the government and the regional transport authority have said they needed.

Catherine Quérard, the president of GHR, another union representing the hospitality and catering sector, added: "The authorities fear a hike in hotel prices, but they're sending the tax rate through the roof. Then they'll come and blame us." Hotels have already increased their rates for a night during the Olympics from July 26 to August 11.

President Emmanuel Macron's government has invoked Article 49.3 of the French constitution to pass its 2024 budget without a vote. It does not have a majority following 2022 elections and has several times used the controversial mechanism, including to enact its highly disputed pension reform earlier this year despite months of protest.

The controversy comes after regional authorities announced a sharp rise in public transport tickets for the Games, sparking anger. The regional transport authority is to near-double metro fares for single tickets and 10-ticket passes during the Olympics.

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Tourist tax: what are the rates?

Verified 01 January 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of Economy

Discount on an amount payable.

The municipality or the EPCI : titleContent may decide to apply a tourist tax ( real tourist tax or flat-rate tourist tax ). The decision must be made before 1 er July to apply from 1  er January of the following year. The decision also determines the criteria of the tax, such as the collection period (tourist season) or the amount applicable depending on the nature and classification of the accommodation.

What is the tourist tax?

A commune or a EPCI : titleContent may decide to apply:

• Let's say one real tourist tax , which is collected per person hosted,
• Let's say one flat-rate tourist tax , which is levied per tourist accommodation.

The municipality or EPCI shall define the characteristics of the tax, including the following:

• Period during which the tourist tax applies
• Amount of tourist tax, by type of accommodation. This amount must be decided before the beginning of the period during which the tax applies. It must be fixed within the limits of a minimum and a maximum tariff updated each year (tariff schedule).
• Whether or not a abatement on the number of accommodation units. The abatement rate must be between 10% and 80% .

How to calculate the tourist tax?

Tariff schedule applicable in 2023.

City tax rates are adopted by the city council or the legislative body of an EPCI, taking into account a scale that is increased each year:

Calculation of the real tourist tax

To calculate the real tourist tax due, the rate applicable to each category of accommodation must be multiplied by the number of overnight stays and then by the number of taxable persons.

The tax collected for the stay of 2 adults for 2 nights in a 2-star hotel is maximum:

2 x 2 x  €0.90  =  €3.60

Calculation of the tourist tax for the package

To calculate the flat-rate tourist tax due, there is a need to multiply

• Rate applicable to the accommodation category per accommodation unit
• Number of nights included both in the period of opening of the accommodation and in the period of collection of the tax
• Accommodation capacity

A tourist hotel has the following characteristics:

• Rated 2 stars. The rate applied per unit of capacity is €0.90 .
• Maximum capacity of 50 beds. It benefits from a discount of 30% .
• Open 183 nights during the period of collection of the tourist tax.

The calculation is as follows:

• Capacity after abatement: 50 - 30% = (50 - (50 x 30)/100) = 50 - 15 = 35
• Flat-rate tourist tax per year: €0.90 x 35 x 183 = €5,764.50 per year.

Calculation of the tourist tax for accommodation awaiting classification

When the accommodation is waiting to be ranked or not ranked (except outdoor accommodation), a rate must be applied.

In 2023, the adopted rate is between 1% and 5% .

It shall apply per person per overnight stay up to the highest rate adopted by the community. The cost of the overnight stay corresponds to the price of the accommodation service excluding taxes.

How do I know the amount of the tourist tax per municipality?

To find out the amount of the tourist tax charged in a municipality, you can use this online service:

Tourist tax rates per municipality

Statute and miscellaneous references

General code of local and regional authorities: Articles L2333-26 to L2333-47

Tourist tax on the real and the package 

General code of local and regional authorities: Articles R2333-43 to R2333-57

General code of regional and local authorities: Article L5211-21

Decision to apply an inter-municipal residence tax

General code of regional and local authorities: Article R5211-6

Online services and forms

Search tools

Additional topics

Tourist accommodation tax

Tourist tax

Ministry of Economy

Owner's Guide: Renting Furnished Tourists (PDF - 3.2 MB)

Ministry of the Environment

Public institution for inter-municipal cooperation

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A guide to the taxe de séjour in 2023

If you’ve ever booked a holiday rental or stayed in a French hotel, you’ve probably noticed an item on your bill labelled “taxe de séjour.” You might have wondered what it is, how much it costs, who pays it and what purpose it serves. And if you’re a rental property owner in France, you might be asking yourself how this tax affects you and your guests.

In this guide, we aim to unravel the intricacies of the taxe de séjour, answering all your burning questions. From understanding its purpose to knowing the exact amounts and who shoulders the responsibility, we’ve got you covered.

Whether you’re a traveller seeking clarity or a property owner looking to stay compliant with the law, read on as we shed light on the taxe de séjour in France.

(The information here is a general guide only, which does not take into account your personal circumstances, is not intended to be tax advice and should not be relied upon as such. If you have any questions about taxes, we suggest that you consult your tax adviser or local tax authorities. Please contact us if you would like the contact details of a tax adviser who specialises in the vacation rental industry. Please note that we do not update this information in real-time, so you should check and confirm if the laws, tax rates or procedures have changed recently.)

Everything you need to know about the taxe de séjour

What is the taxe de séjour.

The “taxe de séjour” is a tourist tax payable by guests staying in holiday rentals or hotels in France. It applies to hotels, holiday rentals, campgrounds, marinas, holiday villages and guest rooms. Ultimately, anywhere that hosts paying guests.

Who collects it and who receives the money?

Accommodation providers are responsible for collecting the taxe de séjour.

In some cases, guests are required to pay it at the time of booking. However, other owners or providers may choose to collect it when guests arrive.

Do note that the responsibility for remitting this tax to the appropriate authorities falls on the property owner or manager. Owners are responsible for ensuring that the correct amount is calculated and collected according to local regulations.

What is it used for?

The funds generated from the taxe de séjour are primarily allocated to local tourism initiatives and infrastructure projects. These can include maintaining/improving tourist facilities, promoting attractions, and supporting cultural events that enhance visitors’ experiences in the region.

Do all guests have to pay the taxe de séjour?

In most cases, all adult guests staying in the accommodation are required to pay the taxe de séjour. However, there are exceptions. Children under the age of 18 are often exempt, as well as those in emergency accommodation or temporary housing, plus seasonal workers.

How much does it cost?

As each local commune is responsible for setting the tourist tax, amounts can vary. A capped scale usually applies and the higher the official classification (star rating) of the property, the higher the tax. Similarly, unclassified properties can sometimes be subject to the most expensive rates.

Generally speaking, rates range between 0.20€ to 4.20€ per person per night. But, to know the exact rate applicable to your accommodation, you need to refer to your local tourism office. Owners are legally obliged to register their property rental business with the local mairie (mayor’s office), after which the correct tariff is allocated.

You can find the exact rates for your local area on this website .

How do guests know how much they have to pay?

Once owners know their tourist tax rate, it should be clearly stated:

• In adverts;
• On invoices;
• Within the property itself.

 Guests can also verify the amount of tax due by checking with the local mayor’s office.

What if the group size varies throughout the stay?

In order for the correct amount of tax to be calculated and collected, booking details and contracts must correlate. Therefore, any necessary amendments must be made before the balance payment is requested from guests.

In the case that guests pay on arrival, adjustments to payments can be made by managers or agencies directly with guests in-resort.

Declaring and paying the taxe de séjour

More than 15,000 communes across France are affiliated with  taxesejour.fr which serves as:

• An information portal  on the tourist tax for the general public;
• A declaration & payment portal  for hosts;
• A collection management and monitoring portal  for the manager.

How to pay the taxe de séjour

Payments are generally made twice per year but could be required more frequently depending on where your business is based. You will usually receive notifications when the payment is due and your local commune will confirm your payment schedule and deadlines. Most communes have online payment platforms set up to enable an easy payment process – but make sure to check on your local website in advance so you’re prepared.

We hope that this FAQ is informative. For the latest government information relating to the taxe de séjour please click here (in French only).

At OVO Network, we support owners in all aspects of their business, helping them build strong relationships with loyal guests. From guest communication to marketing, revenue/booking management, photography and more – our experts can help turn your chalet business into a success.

Interested in learning more about our solution? Head over to  our website  to discover more or  arrange a call  with one of our experts today.

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Tourism tax rates in France

Last reviewed/updated 8 January 2024 | Rates reviewed and updated for all destinations listed. Updates include new ‘transport’ tax surcharge to be levied from 1 January 2024 by municipalities in the Île-de-France region, including Paris, that apply the  taxe de séjour.  Surcharge is 200% of the municipal rate.

Taxe de Séjour

The tourist tax (taxe de séjour) is an accommodation tax levied on visitors per person per night. Further information on which municipalities implement can be found in the report (practical guide) published by national government.

A fixed rate applies staying in classified hotels (varying by star rating). The total tax rate payable by visitors is made up of the municipal rate plus departmental and regional taxes.

The municipal rate is set by local governments (municipalities) within a scale determined by national government. The national government scale in 2024  for the municipal rate staying in classified hotels including palaces is €0.20 – €4.60. The amount of departmental and regional tax is calculated as a percentage of the municipal rate.

In addition, from 1 January 2024 municipalities in the Île-de-France region applying the taxe de séjour are required to also levy a ‘transport’ tax to contribute to the budget of IDFM (Regional Transport Authority) and is added to the municipal , departmental and SGP regional tax rates. The ‘transport’ tax is 200% of the municipal rate. Further information here on provisional legal basis for the ‘transport’ tax approved by national parliament in December 2023 ( Article 140 of Finance Bill 2024 ).

Below are selected destinations. Other destinations rates can be found here (where applicable departmental and regional taxes to be added to the municipal rate published).

Further information (and to check current rate including rate for 5-star hotels awarded ‘Palace’ status) can be found by clicking on the name of the destination. The rates below are for the total tax payable including departmental and regional taxes where applicable.

Disclaimer: While best efforts have been made to verify the accuracy of the information, the information displayed should be used as guidance only.

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Anger from hotel industry at go-ahead for Paris to triple tourist tax

Critics say the move will make the capital the ‘most-taxed’ in europe and hurt competitiveness.

Professionals in the Ile-de-France hotel industry have reacted angrily to news that France’s tourist tax will increase by up to 200% over the current amount in 2024.

The government’s projet de loi de finances , which it is currently moving through parliament, states that Paris’ taxe de séjour is set to rise next year. The extra funds are planned to go towards improving public transport provision, run by Ile-de-France Mobilités (IDFM), as the capital hosts the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The taxe de séjour starts at €0.25 per night for a simple campsite, and increases depending on the accommodation, to a current maximum of €5 per guest per night for the plushest hotels.

In practice, any accommodation of a standard lower than a four-star hotel is likely to have tax of less than €1 per night, per person. The average tax for five-star hotels in 2021 was €1.69 per night, per person. Only very exclusive, luxury accommodation, known as palaces in French, charge more.

The local department can also apply an additional 10% to the tourist tax, for the funding of local tourist infrastructure and services.

Read more: Explainer: What is France’s taxe de séjour, who pays it and when?

However, industry critics say that the decision to increase the tax for IDFM was taken without appropriate consultation with the sector, and will make Paris the most-taxed capital in Europe - ahead of Rome, Brussels, Berlin, Athens, Madrid, and London.

In a statement published on September 29, the Union des métiers et des industries de l'hôtellerie (UMIH) said: “With a 200% addition to tourist tax planned for 2024, Paris and the Ile-de-France region have already won the gold medal for taxation [even before the Games begin].”

The statement was issued in partnership with the Groupement national des chaînes hôtelières (GNC).

The complaint refers to the agreement - reached between IDFM president Valérie Pécresse and Transport Minister Clément Beaune - for “the creation on January 1, 2024, of an additional tourist tax…collected in the Ile-de-France region and allocated to Ile-de-France Mobilités”.

The agreement states that the increase will have “a ceiling rate of 200%”. In practice, this means that up to 200% of the current tax rate could be added to the existing amount. This means that in some cases, the total tax bill will triple.

For example, a top five-star ‘palace’ hotel in Paris that currently charges the maximum €5 per night in taxe de séjour could be required to add €10 (200%) extra to this, making the final fee €15 per night.

The UMIH and GNC claim that this measure “will have a lasting negative impact on the competitiveness of the destination in terms of business and leisure tourism in France's leading tourist region”.

Véronique Siegel, president of UMIH hôtellerie française , called it “a tax bludgeoning”, and said that it would have “a lasting impact on the competitiveness of our businesses”.

The groups suggested that instead of increasing the tourist tax, the government could finance extra public transport “by taxing vacant homes and offices” instead.

The Groupement des hôtelleries et restaurations de France (GHR) group has also criticised the plan, and said that hospitality businesses will suffer increased labour costs as a result of the tax rise.

In a joint statement, Didier Chenet and Pascal Mousset - GHR national president and Ile-de-France president respectively - said: “The increase will further raise labour costs, even though hotels, cafés and restaurants already spend more than 40% of their turnover on wages and salaries.”

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What is the Paris Tourist Tax? (and how much is it?)

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 10th February 2024

Categories Paris

Last Updated on 10th February 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

On a recent trip to Paris, I was pretty shocked to find that we were asked to pay over €16 each when checking into our four-star hotel. The reason why? Well, as of the 1st of January 2024, the city of Paris has implemented a high cost Paris tourist tax for those staying in temporary accommodation in the city. In this article, we’ll dive into how much the tourist tax is and who has to pay it.

Please note that, when you’re booking a hotel in Paris, there will be a note somewhere on the listing of how much the tourist tax is. However, whereas some hotels factor the tax into the overall price you’ll pay (though it will have its own line on the invoice you receive), other hotels will make you pay the cost separately upon arrival.

What’s the tourist tax for?

Who does the tourist tax apply to, how much is the tourist tax, how do you pay the tourist tax.

By and large the tourist tax is the way of the city making extra money by charging non-resident visitors a compulsory tax to stay in the city. Tourist taxes are common all over France and are meant to aid in the development and promotion of tourism in the areas where they’re implemented.

When travelling around a lot of Europe, you’ll often find a mandatory extra charge known as the tourist tax either when you pay for the hotel or upon checking in. Other places where the tax is implemented include Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Greece.

There was a tourist tax prior to January 2024, but it was a maximum of a few euros per night. In light of the Olympics coming to Paris, the city has decided to up the tourist tax by over 200%!

The tourist tax applies per adult (not per room) to visitors staying overnight in the following types of accommodation. Rather egregiously, you even have to pay the tourist tax if you’re camping in a campsite and have brought your own tent along with you!

Children under the age of 18 are exempt from paying the tax. Visitors who are staying with family or friends are exempt from paying the tax. The following places impose the tax:

• Tourist hotels
• Aparthotels 
• Furnished rentals
• Bed & Breakfasts
• Holiday villages
• Outdoor accommodation (think tents and yurts)
• Youth hostels

The good news is that the tourist tax varies depending on what kind of accommodation you’re staying in, meaning that if you’re travelling to Paris on a budget , then you can stay in a lower tax class accommodation in order to keep your budget down.

If you are staying in a place which doesn’t yet have a tourist tax classification, then you can expect to pay a proportional tax of 5% of the cost of the night excluding tax with a maximum price of €14.95.

The tourist tax will be paid directly to your hotel either by cash (France uses the euro) or by card. As I mentioned, sometimes you will pay the tourist tax at the same time as your room, and at other times you’ll be asked to pay at check in.

Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.

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France tourist tax to triple in new blow for holidaymakers

Tourists will need to pay more

By Sarra Gray

Published: 06/10/2023

Tourist tax will increase in France and in some cases it will triple

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Britons visiting France could be set to pay more in taxes.

Tourist tax could triple for some staying in the country's capital of Paris.

A proposal given the go-ahead said taxes are set to rise from next year.

Currently, visitors will pay between €0.25 (22p) and €5 (£4.30) per night, depending on the type of accommodation.

Higher charges for guests have been approved

This can vary slightly and some areas implement a flat rate.

The new proposal could see up to 200 per cent added to the current cost.

This would mean those paying the highest fees could see it triple.

For example, the €5 charge could total up to €15 (£13) per person per night if the maximum 200 per cent increase (€10) was charged.

​ The additional tax collected is planned to go towards improved public transport.

Tourist tax applies to any holidaymakers staying in hotels, tourist residences and outdoor accomodation, such as camping and caravanning.

The taxes are applicable to anyone over the age of 18.

There are some exemptions, such as those receiving emergency accommodation and seasonal workers employed in the municipality.

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Tourist tax can vary

Cruise guests face higher tourist taxes when visiting a popular stop .

Cruisegoers heading to the Bahamas may need to pay more from 2024.

This comes as Britons face new tourist taxes when going to Iceland .

The popular tourist destination has not confirmed how much the fee is going to be.

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Tourist taxes in Europe

More and more destinations around the world are introducing tourist taxes and there is a large number of European countries and cities that have started implementing it. It usually consists of a fee that applies per person per night. The tourist tax is payable locally, and usually at check out from your accommodation.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions:

What is a tourist tax?

How much does it cost?

Who has to pay the tourist tax?

Tourist tax in france, tourist tax in the uk & ireland.

Tourist tax in The Netherlands

Tourist tax in Switzerland

Tourist tax in Italy

What is a tourist tax? 

The European Tourist tax, also called ‘city tax’, usually consists of a fee that applies per person, per night. The tourist tax is payable locally, and usually at check out from your accommodation. Many governments are concerned with the possibility of over-tourism in a destination, therefore they decided to implement a tourist tax to improve the tourism sector. The taxes are considered as resources to protect the environment, cultural heritage, or social purposes of a destination. 

How much does it cost? 

The rates vary from the type of accommodation and its location. The higher the rating of the accommodation you chose is, the more you will have to pay. Eastern EU countries have lower rates than Western and South-eastern EU countries. However, the amount of the tourist tax is decided by the city or the municipality and can change annually. You will find the tourist taxes’ rates of the country you are planning to visit below. 

Everyone has to pay tourist taxes, however, there are some exemptions depending on the city: 

Children often pay reduced rates or are exempt entirely

Persons with a disability and one accompanying person

Patients and carers for patients admitted to health facilities

Workers within the city

Bus drivers

Tour Guides

To be exempt from paying tourist taxes, you have to prove your situation with the appropriate documents. 

In France, there is a tourist tax or "Taxe de Séjour", which is charged per person, per night and varies according to the standard and quality of the accommodation. The rates range from €0.65 to €8,13 per person, per night. The detailed price breakdown is available (in French only) on the service-public.fr website. To calculate the actual tourist tax amounts due, multiply the rate applicable to each category of accommodation by the number of nights and the number of taxable persons. Children under 18 are exempt from the tax. Note : An additional tax can also be added by the counties and regions. For example, the Île-de-France region recently introduced an additional “Grand Paris” tax. From 1 January 2024, the tourist tax in Paris will be 5,20€ per person per night when staying at a 3-star hotel, and 8,13€ per night per person when staying at a 4-star hotel.  When booking a  self guided trip to France , tourist taxes are usually not included and must be paid locally. If you travel in a  guided small group , tour operators tend to include the taxes in the package price. 

England : Manchester is the first and only British city to charge a £1 tourist tax to visitors staying in the city-centre hotels or rental apartments. Other UK’s leading destinations could impose tourist taxes in the coming years.

Ireland : There are currently no tourist taxes in Ireland.

Scotland : There are currently no tourist taxes in Scotland, but there are undergoing discussions. Edinburgh is set to become the first city in Scotland in 2023 to introduce a £2 tourist tax per person and per night.

Wales : There are currently no tourist taxes in Wales, but there are undergoing discussions.

When booking a  self guided trip to the Uk & Ireland , tourist taxes are usually not included and must be paid locally. If you travel in a  guided small group , tour operators tend to include the taxes in the package price. 

The Netherlands 

In the Netherlands, there is a tourist tax of €3 per person per night payable locally. Some hotels have included it in their rates and some have not. You will be informed at the time of reservation if it is payable at the hotel upon check out.

In Italy, the amount of the tourist tax depends on the city. In Rome, you will be charged between €3 - €7 per person, per night. In other cities, the rates vary from €2 to €5.

Switzerland

In Switzerland you will be paying tourist taxes, the amount varies in different cantons and towns & cities. The cost per night and per person is around €2.20.

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How much is Paris tourist tax? 2024 rates explained

25 Jan 2024, 17:31 by Sam Taylor

The tourist tax visitors must pay when staying in Paris has increased. So how much is the tax and do you need to pay it on a school trip to Paris ? Here's everything you need to know.

How much is Paris tourist tax 2024?

The amount of euros adults must pay is calculated by person by night and varies depending on the star-rating of their hotel.

How much has Paris tourist tax increased by?

Paris City Hall has decided to increase Paris tourist tax by 200% for the year 2024. The decision was made to support Île-de-France Mobilités—responsible for public transport including the metro & bus—in transporting the greater numbers of passengers expected in the city for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

How do I pay Paris tourist tax?

Paris tourist tax is paid directly to your hotel in euros via cash or card. At certain hotels it is possible to pay in advance, in which case you will send us the payment and we will pay the hotel on your behalf via bank transfer ahead of your trip.

Do school students need to pay tourist tax in Paris?

No. Children under the age of 18 are exempt from the Paris tourist tax rules. Paris tourist tax only applies to adults on the trip who 18 years old and above.

Why do I have to pay Paris tourist tax?

Visitors aged 18 years and over staying in hotels, aparthotels and furnished rentals during their stay in Paris must pay tourist tax. Tourist tax is commonplace across Europe including popular holiday destinations such as Rome,  Milan, Naples & Venice .

The tourist tax has increased by 200% ahead of the 2024 Olympics in order to help support the continued operation of public transport.

More about school trips to Paris

• How your school trip to Paris is financially protected
• Essential checks you need to make before travelling to Paris

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Hawaii Is the Latest Place to Consider a Tourist Tax—Here's Where Else Travelers Need to Pay to Enter

By Olivia Morelli

Hawaii is the latest destination to consider taxing visitors to help address the effects of climate change and overtourism, two issues that are particularly front of mind in the Aloha State following the devastating Lahaina fire .

The so-called climate tax is part of a bill first introduced in January that could pass as early as this spring. If approved, visitors to Hawaii would be charged a $25 flat fee during check-in at hotels and short-term rentals. The money would go onto support sustainability initiatives in the state including wildfire and flood prevention, coral reef restoration, emergency water supplies, green infrastructure, and coastal restoration.

The concept of tourist tax isn’t a new one. They have long been the norm for many countries in Europe such as Greece, Spain, and Germany, and hotel tax is standard across many destinations, including US states. The impact of the pandemic on the travel industry was severe—hotels, restaurants and hospitality venues closed, people that relied on tourism for their livelihoods suddenly faced huge losses, and money that the government relied on for development and maintenance was depleted. As a result, many countries have decided to implement a tourist tax to help support local needs. Below, we take a look at what exactly tourist tax is, and which places are introducing the measure for 2024.

Bhutan's tourist tax (one of the most expensive fees on the list) recently decreased from $200 to $100 per night.

What is tourist tax?

Originally, tourist tax was introduced by certain governments with the aim of tempering overtourism and generating income from large numbers of travelers entering the destination. Bhutan , for example, has asked tourists to pay a significant sum of money to enter since it opened to international visitors in 1974. The country uses the tax (called the Daily Sustainable Development Fee) in an attempt to preserve the country’s natural, undisturbed beauty and to protect traditional Buddhist culture . Barcelona , meanwhile, uses the city’s tourist tax to fund local construction and development projects. Most tourist taxes are added onto the cost of your accommodation in the form of a percent or flat fee.

Which destinations will begin imposing tourist taxes in 2024?

• This January, Iceland reintroduced its tourist tax following a pandemic hiatus.
• The Indonesian government began taxing travelers visiting Bali from February 14, 2024.
• In 2024, the UK is imposing a new system called an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), whereby visitors from the US, Europe, Australia, and Canada will be required to apply for permission and pay to enter the country.
• Pro tip: Next year, the EU will begin implementing a new tourist visa , whereby non-EU citizens traveling from outside the Schengen zone will need to fill out a €7 (around $7.57) application to enter the country.

Bali started charging tourists a $10 entrance fee on February 14, 2024.

Which destinations currently impose tourist tax?

The below destinations currently impose tourist taxes on travelers entering the country, but the amount of tax charged changes frequently. While we have included some guidance on projected costs, make sure you check with your accommodation or the tourism board for each destination before traveling.

• Austria : The cost of tourist tax is typically added onto your accommodation bill, and is around 3.2% in Vienna.
• Belgium : In Brussels, the tourist tax is typically below $5 and is added onto your accommodation bill, but it varies from city to city.
• Bhutan : Visitors to Bhutan are required to pay a daily Sustainable Development Fee of $100 per person.
• Bulgaria : Tourist tax in Bulgaria varies on destination and hotel standard, but it is usually below $2.
• Caribbean islands: Most of the Caribbean islands charge tourist tax, and the price ranges depending on the island–in St Lucia, for example, it is around 8%, whereas in the Dominican Republic it is 18%.
• Croatia : The cost of tourist tax in Croatia depends on the season you are traveling in and where you are staying.
• Czech Republic: In Prague , tourist tax typically costs around CZK 50 per night (around $2).
• France : Tourist tax here is based on a municipal rate, but the standard cost is typically under $6 a night. As of this January, the nightly visitor fee in Paris has increased to between $3 and $17, dependent on hotel type.
• Germany : It varies from city to city–in Berlin , the standard tourist tax is 5% of the accommodation price.
• Greece : The price you pay in Greece depends on the standard and size of your accommodation. It shouldn’t be more than $5 per night.
• Hungary : Travelers should expect to pay around 4% of the cost of accommodation per night.
• Iceland: The newly reintroduced fee applies to travelers staying at campsites (about $2), hotels (about $4), and cruises (about $7).
• Italy: Venice will begin charging tourists a €5 nightly fee (about $5.50) in 2024.
• Indonesia: Starting on February 14, travelers will have to pay 150,000 rupiah (around $10) upon entering Bali .
• Italy : Depending on the city, tourist tax can be somewhere between $1 and $8 per night.
• Japan : If you’re traveling to Japan, expect to pay 1,000 yen (about $6.65) in tourist tax.
• Malaysia : In 2023, the cost of tourist tax across Malaysia was approximately $2 per night.
• New Zealand: Travelers visiting New Zealand have to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) which costs $35 NZD (about $22).
• Portugal : The country charges tourist tax in 13 cities, including Lisbon and Porto . The cost is about $2 per night.
• Thailand : The tourist tax for travelers visiting Thailand is 300 baht (about $8) for visitors arriving by air and 150 baht (about $4) for those arriving by land or water.
• The Netherlands : Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most expensive places for tourist tax–currently the rate states at 7% of accommodation price plus a flat rate of €3 (about $3.24) per person per night.
• Switzerland : The price varies depending on the destination, and it ranges from about CHF 2 (about $2.30) to CHF 7 (about $8) per person per night.
• Slovenia : Again, the rate changes from destination to destination (it is higher in cities than in more rural areas), but generally the cost is around €3 (about $3.24).
• Spain : Several cities in Spain have recently decided to raise the price of tourist tax, and other cities are in discussions about following suit. In Barcelona, the fee is €4 (about $4.30), whereas in the Balearic Islands the fee is between €1 (about $1.10).
• USA: When traveling to the US, visitors need to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), which is a type of visa allowing travellers to stay in the country for up to 90 stays. It is valid for two years. The cost of an ESTA is $21. A version of this article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK .

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These are all the destinations you’ll need to pay extra to visit this year

More and more popular travel destinations are introducing tourist taxes to tackle problems caused by overtourism – here’s what you’ll have to pay

This year, international travel is forecast to bounce back to the highest levels since 2019 – and while that’s great news for the tourism industry in general, many cities, attractions and entire regions are suffering under the weight of overtourism .

The potential for damage to historic sites, unhinged tourist behaviour  and the simple issue of overcrowding are all common consequences of overtourism. That’s why a growing list of popular travel destinations have introduced a tourist tax, with the hopes of controlling visitor numbers and improving local infrastructure to better cater to higher visitor capacity. 

Many countries and cities introduced a tourist tax in 2023, and many more are due to launch theirs in 2024. Tourist taxes aren’t a new thing – you’ve probably paid one before, tied in with the cost of a plane ticket or the taxes you pay at a hotel. 

However, more destinations than ever before are creating this fee for tourists, and many places have increased the cost of existing ones. Here’s a full list of all the destinations charging a tourist tax in 2024, including all the recently introduced and upcoming tourist taxes you need to know about. 

Austria charges visitors a nightly accommodation tax which differs depending on province. In Vienna or Salzburg , you could pay 3.02 percent per person on top of the hotel bill. 

Belgium , like Austria, has a nightly fee. Some hotels include it in the rate of the room and add it separately to your bill, so read it carefully.

The rate in Brussels is charged per room, and varies depending on the size and rating of your hotel, but is usually around €7.50. Antwerp also charges per room. 

Bhutan has always been known for its steep tourist taxes and charges. In 2022, the Himalayan kingdom  tripled the amount it charged visitors in tax  to a minimum of  $200 per day , but that amount has since been lowered. In 2024, the daily fee for the majority of visitors is  $ 100,  and that is due to continue until August 31, 2027. 

Bulgaria applies a fee to overnight stays, but it reaches a maximum of only €1.50. 

Caribbean Islands

The following Caribbean Islands charge a tourist tax, ranging from between €13 to €45: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic , Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands. 

The tax tends to be tied into the cost of a hotel or a departure fee. 

Croatia only charges its visitors a fee of 10 kuna (€1.33) per night during peak season. 

Czechia (also known as Czech Republic)

Czechia only applies a fee to those travelling to Prague . It doesn’t apply to those under the age of 18, and is less than €1 per person, per night. 

France ’s ‘taxe de séjour’ varies depending on city, and tends to be added to your hotel bill. It varies from €0.20 to €4 per person, per night. 

Earlier this month, Paris announced it would be increasing its fee by up to 200 percent for those staying in hotels, Airbnbs, and campsites, but that it plans to put the funds towards improving the city’s services and infrastructure. 

READ MORE: The cost of visiting Paris will soar this summer – here’s why

Germany charges visitors a ‘culture tax’ (kulturförderabgabe) and a ‘bed tax’ (bettensteuer) in certain cities, including Frankfurt , Hamburg and Berlin , which tends to be around five percent of your hotel bill. 

Greece ’s tourist tax is based on numbers. Specifically, how many stars a hotel has, and the number of rooms you’re renting. The fee was introduced by the Greek Ministry of tourism to help pay off the country’s debt, and can be anything from €4 per room.

Hungary charges visitors four percent of the price of their room, but only in Budapest . 

Iceland is introducing a tourist tax to protect its ‘unspoilt nature’ this year, which will cost between  €4 to €7 per night. It comes after annual tourist numbers reached an estimated 2.3 million per year. 

In Indonesia , the only destination which charges a tourist tax is Bali , and the fee is set to increase this February  to $10 (£7.70, €8.90, IDR 150,000) – but is a one-time entry fee, not a nightly tax. It apparently goes towards protecting the island’s ‘environment and culture.’

Much like in France, Italy ’s tourist tax varies depending on your location. Rome ’s fee is usually between €3 to €7 per night, but some smaller Italian towns charge more. 

Venice finally announced in September that its tourist tax, a €5 (£4.30, $5.40) fee which will be applicable on various days during high season, will launch in 2024. It only applies to day-trippers rather than those staying overnight, though.

Japan has a departure tax of around 1,000 yen (€8). 

Malaysia has a flat-rate tax which it applies to each night you stay, of around €4 a night. 

New Zealand

New Zealand ’s tax comes in the from of an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of around €21 which much be paid upon arrival, but that does not apply to people from Australia. 

Netherlands

The Netherlands has both a land and water tax. Amsterdam is set to increase its fee  by 12.5 percent in 2024, making it the highest tourist tax in the European Union. 

Portugal has a low tourist tax of €2, which applies to all those over the age of 13. It’s only applicable on the first seven nights of your visit and applies in 13 Portuguese municipalities, including Faro, Lisbon and Porto.   

Olhão became the latest area to start charging the fee between April and October. Outside of this period, it gets reduced to €1 and is capped at five nights all year round. The money goes towards minimising the impact of tourism in the Algarve town. 

Slovenia also bases its tax on location and hotel rating. In larger cities and resorts, such as Ljubljana and Bled, the fee is higher, but still only around €3 per night. 

Spain 

Spain applies its Sustainable Tourism Tax to holiday accommodation in the Balearic Islands to each visitor over the age of sixteen. Tourists can be charged up to €4 per night during high season. 

Barcelona ’s city authorities announced they plan to increase the city’s tourist tax over the next two years – the fee is set to rise to €3.25 on April 1, 2024. The council said the money would go towards improving infrastructure and services. This is in addition to regional Catalan tax. 

Switzerland

Switzerland ’s tax varies depending on location, but the per person, per night cost is around €2.20. It tends to be specified as a separate amount on your accommodation bill. 

Thailand 

Thailand introduced a tourist tax to the price of flights in April 2022, in a similar effort to the Balinese aim of moving away from its rep as a ‘cheap’ holiday destination. The fee for all international visitors is 300 baht (£6.60, $9). 

The US has an ‘occupancy tax’ which applies across most of the country to travellers renting accommodation such as hotels, motels and inns. Houston is estimated to be the highest, where they charge you an extra 17 percent of your hotel bill. 

Hawaii  could be imposing a ‘green fee’ – initially set at $50 but since lowered to $25 – which would apply to every tourist over the age of 15. It still needs to be passed by lawmakers, but if approved, it wouldn’t be instated until 2025.

The European Union

Finally, the European Union is planning on introducing a tourist visa , due to start in 2024. The €7 application will have to be filled out by all non-Schengen visitors between the ages of 18 and 70, including Brits and Americans. 

READ MORE: Why sustainable tourism isn’t enough anymore

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Tourism taxes are making international trips more expensive

Editor's Note

As you budget for a trip , the list of expenses to consider is long. Sure, there are the big-ticket costs, such as airfare, lodging, theme park tickets and car rentals. But, as every traveler knows, that's often just the beginning. Airline fees, resort charges , food, souvenirs, highway tolls and other extras drive up the overall cost of a trip.

Increasingly, travelers have also had to consider another extra: tourism taxes .

Barcelona recently made headlines after announcing it would hike its tourism tax for the second time in four years. Originally implemented in the early 2010s to combat overtourism, the city's tax on visitors varies based on whether you're staying in a hotel, opting for an ultra-high-end hotel, renting a vacation rental through a platform like Airbnb or visiting as a cruise passenger.

Barcelona isn't alone.

This spring, the ever-popular destination of Venice, Italy, is deploying its long-discussed tourist tax . It's charging daytrippers 5 euros ($5.43) on certain peak days.

Depending on the destination, you may find tourism taxes or similar fees tacked onto your hotel bill or charged upon arrival across many destinations worldwide.

Sure, they're typically not large enough to make you consider altering your travel plans. However, they are another line to add to your trip budget, whether you're heading to a hotel in the U.S. or abroad to places like Manchester, England; Barcelona; the Balearic Islands in Spain; and New Zealand.

More places may start charging them soon.

Passing costs on to tourists

Governments have long sought to pass costs onto tourists in some form or another.

The amount you pay for most hotel rooms in the U.S. usually includes an additional tax beyond what you'd pay for a purchase at a retailer.

In 2022, while on assignment for TPG in New York, I saw a $38 charge for various city and state taxes (totaling 17% of the rate) on top of my $219 room rate at the Moxy NYC Times Square. That was in addition to the hotel's $30 destination fee.

You'll find this setup all over the world ... and it has been around for years.

The city of Amsterdam, for instance, charges a 7% fee on hotel rooms, along with 3 euros ($3.26) per person, per night.

In Paris, how much you pay in room tax depends, more or less, on how nice the hotel is. The fees top out at around $4 per night for a luxury hotel or similar accommodations; it may be something to keep in mind as you plan a trip to Paris for the 2024 Olympics this summer .

Last year, Manchester became the first city in the United Kingdom to charge a tourism tax; visitors staying in city center hotels or at rental properties pay 1 British pound ($1.22) per night.

Extra charges beyond hotels

In recent years, tourist payments have grown to not only include taxes on airfare and hotel stays, but also stand-alone fees for merely visiting the destination itself.

Bhutan may be the most notable example. The country typically charges a flat rate of $200 or more per day. You get a lot for your money, though: The fee includes decent lodging, meals, ground transportation, camping equipment and a tour guide.

However, it's worth noting Bhutan will be offering a temporary (though long-lasting) 50% discount on the fee over the next few years. Late last summer, the government revealed tourists will be charged $100 per day through Aug. 31, 2027, to incentivize travel, according to the country's tourism authority .

Even considering that discount, most tourist fees are considerably smaller than Bhutan's. For example, visitors from most countries pay about $24 upon entering New Zealand as part of its International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.

Still, when you plan a trip, the costs can add up; these extra taxes and fees are increasingly expenses for which you'll want to account.

Why are so many places adding tourism taxes?

There are various reasons why cities, regions and countries are adding these taxes and fees.

Infrastructure is a big part of the reason in some places. Tourists strain the environment, from creating trash to using city services, riding public transportation and crowding streets in popular destinations.

In Wales, the government is considering allowing nightly visitor levies of between 0.5 and 5 pounds (61 cents to $6.10) per night; officials say any taxes "will generate revenue to support investment in the tourism industry."

In 2022, New Zealand's tourism minister hinted that increases to the country's tourism tax may come after noting pre-coronavirus pandemic tourism levels were "unsustainable." This is the same word a 2019 Cornell University report used about the "extremely rapid growth" of tourism in Southeast Asia.

Elsewhere, the motivation has much to do with the impacts of climate change.

Hawaii tourism tax talks revived

In his State of the State address in February, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green proposed a $25 fee on visitors when they arrive and check into a hotel or short-term rental. The proposal came after past years' discussions of tourism taxes in the highly visited state — including a proposal that stalled in the state's legislature last year.

Calling it a "modest fee" that pales in comparison to other resort fees charged to visitors, Green said the levy would generate more than $68 million annually from visitors. He said the state would invest this money into beach preservation and fire safety and prevention measures to stop another tragedy like last summer's wildfires in Maui .

"The responsibility to protect Hawaii's unique natural environment should extend to visitors to our islands," Green said in his speech . "I believe this is not too much to ask of visitors to our islands."

Galapagos Islands' national park entry fees

Similarly, leaders in Ecuador have grown concerned about the effects of increased tourism in the Galapagos Islands.

Starting later this year, entry fees for most visitors to Galapagos National Park will double.

As of Aug. 1, visitors who live outside South America will have to pay $200 (instead of $100) to enter the park, according to the nonprofit Galapagos Conservation Trust; reduced fees will be available for children 12 and under, and entry will be free for children younger than 2.

The move comes following "worrying growth" in the number of visitors.

"This is pushing waste management systems to the limit, exacerbating water and food insecurity, and increasing the threat of devastating invasive species being introduced to the islands," the organization said in a statement , noting it's the park's first fee increase since 1998.

Concerns growing about preserving iconic sites

A 2022 report from the World Travel & Tourism Council — published just as travel began to bounce back from the pandemic — stressed the importance of a "renewed commitment and interest" from travelers "to preserving our planet and the people and communities who are a part of it."

In Venice, leaders have pointed to massive tourist numbers in recent years as underscoring the need for the upcoming changes as the Italian city contends with its place on UNESCO's list of endangered World Heritage Sites .

"The goal is to find a new balance between the rights of those who live and work in Venice and those who intend to visit the city," Gabriele Vattolo, the city's press secretary, said in a statement to TPG.

Similarly, in the Spanish city of Seville, leaders recently unveiled plans to charge nonresident visitors an entry fee to the famed Plaza de Espana — an iconic, nearly century-old landmark known for its rich history and cinematic appearance in the "Star Wars" saga.

"With the city council's budget alone we cannot preserve our heritage, nor guarantee the safety of the monument," Seville Mayor José Luis Sanz wrote in a Feb. 26 post (translated from Spanish) on X.

In the post, Sanz shared a video that showed dense crowds in Plaza de Espana, with street vendors, trash, and wear and tear to the landmark.

Bottom line

Out-of-town guests have long been asked to support the communities they're visiting in the form of taxes added to nightly hotel bills.

As travel has surged over the last two years in the wake of the pandemic, it seems cities — and, indeed, countries — are increasingly looking to have visitors help pay for the costs (both financial and environmental) that tourism incurs.

With that in mind, you'll want to factor these added costs into your next trip budget on top of the pricier expenses you're already considering, such as airfare and the advertised hotel rate.

As always, if paying these tourism fees with a credit card is an option (and won't cost you more in processing fees), select the card in your wallet that doesn't have foreign transaction fees and earns you the most rewards on everyday expenses . This will be your best bet to get something back for your purchase.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a first-time or frequent traveler
• Best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

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• The First MICHELIN Key Hotels: All the Keys in France

The MICHELIN Guide announces top honors for French hotels in 2024.

MICHELIN Keys France Hotels

Paris by The MICHELIN Guide

See the Paris guide

On April 8, 2024, the MICHELIN Guide revealed the brand new One, Two, and Three Key distinctions for the most outstanding hotels in France.

This announcement comes four years into a comprehensive refresh of our hotel selection. The MICHELIN Guide now includes over 5,000 hotels across the world, and not a single one is simply a room for the night. These are places that significantly add to your experience as a traveler, each vetted and judged excellent in five categories: architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and a significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting. Which brings us back to the Keys. The culmination of countless hours of evaluation by our team of experts, the Key hotels below represent the highlights of our broader selection. Like the MICHELIN Stars for restaurants, the MICHELIN Keys are our most outstanding hotels. In total, the 2024 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection in France includes 24 Three Key hotels, 38 Two Key hotels, and 127 One Key hotels. Want to know more about the MICHELIN Key? Here’s everything you need to know . Or, head below to look at all the Keys.

How To Look Through the List

Jump straight to the list or take a deeper dive into select key hotels..

Take a peek at the top-floor suite of the only chateau hotel in Paris. See what makes this hotel among the greatest art museums in the country. Or find out more about the wine hotel that uses an entire town as its foundation. Subscribe to our newsletter for more like this.

Highlights of the France 2024 Key Hotel List

The Palaces: A Distinctly French High Luxury

Expect: Butler service, high quality spas, and sumptuous spare-no-expense design. The government of France itself bestows an official Palace designation, with French tourism officials judging the most luxurious hotels in France to ensure they provide particular amenities and services (a spa, a multilingual check-in desk, a concierge service, etc.) and an excellent representation of the country. Out of 31 official palace hotels in France, many earned at least one Key — and several make up our Three Key hotels. Of the palaces that earned at least One Key, you’ll find a mix of the most historic ( the Four Seasons George V ), the most modern ( Le K2 Palace ), and the newer takes on the traditional form ( La Réserve Paris ). All are exceptional. Also read: Every Three Key Hotel in Paris

The Country Darlings: Chateaus and Vineyards

Our first annual list of Key hotels in France confirms the supremacy of these two mainstays: chateau and vineyard accommodations. Look to Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey and Château de la Gaude as particular examples of Two Key hotels that combine both. Or look just outside Bordeaux, to Les Sources de Caudalie . Built on a natural hot spring and operated by the famous Caudalie beauty brand, it’s a particularly fascinating Three Key property on the grounds of the Château Smith Haut-Lafitte vineyard.

Paris 2024: Little Boutiques Full of Hip, Trendy Design and Endless Color

We’re thrilled that in our inaugural Key distinctions we can celebrate an especially strong crop of small, design-forward boutique hotels that are anything but content to be conventional. With bright, colorful design that’s of the moment, they’re grounded in technical know-how, impeccable taste, and informed by a fascinating, sometimes quirky history. Explore Hôtel Le Ballu , La Fantaisie , Providence , Les Bains , and Norman Hôtel & Spa to see just what we mean. Also read: Inside Hôtel Le Ballu: A singular, artsy refuge in the heart of Paris

Click below to jump to each distinction: 

The three key hotels.

Antibes: Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc Bordeaux: Les Sources de Caudalie Champillon: Le Royal Champagne Courchevel: Cheval Blanc Courchevel Courchevel: Le K2 Palace Gordes: La Bastide de Gordes Le Castellet: Hôtel du Castellet Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade: Villa La Coste Les Baux-de-Provence: Baumanière Megève: Four Seasons Megeve Monte-Carlo: Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo Paris: Villeroy Paris: La Réserve Paris Paris: Saint James Paris Paris: Four Seasons George V Paris: Cheval Blanc Paris Paris: Ritz Paris Paris: Le Bristol Paris Paris: Le Meurice Paris: Plaza Athénée Reims: Domaine Les Crayères Saint Tropez: La Reserve Ramatuelle Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: Grand Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat Versailles:  Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle

NEW: Paris by The MICHELIN Guide – expert insights on where to dine, stay and explore

The two key hotels.

Aix-en-Provence: Château de la Gaude Avignon: La Mirande Biarritz: Hôtel du Palais Bommes: Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey Busnes: Le Château de Beaulieu Cassis: Les Roches Blanches Cheverny: Les Sources de Cheverny Cognac: Chais Monnet Courchevel: Aman Le Mélézin Courchevel: L'Apogée Courchevel Dinard: Castelbrac Eugenie les Bains: Les Pres d’Eugenie - Michel Guerard Èze: Château Eza Èze: Château de la Chèvre d'Or Gargas: Coquillade - Provence Honfleur: La Ferme Saint-Siméon Lauris: Domaine de Fontenille Le Grand-Lucé: Château du Grand-Lucé Massignac: Domaine des Étangs Monte-Carlo: Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo Montpellier: Domaine de Biar Nice: Le Negresco Paris: Crillon Paris: J.K. Place Paris Paris: Lutetia Paris: Nolinski Paris: Bulgari Hôtel Paris Paris: Le Royal Monceau Paris: The Peninsula Paris Paris: Shangri-La Paris Porto-Vecchio: Casadelmar Roquebrune-Cap-Martin: The Maybourne Riviera Sabran: Château de Montcaud Saint Tropez: Airelles Saint-Tropez Château de la Messardière Saint Tropez: Cheval Blanc St-Tropez Saint-Méloir-des-Ondes: Château Richeux - Les Maisons de Bricourt Saint-Paul-de-Vence: Le Domaine du Mas de Pierre Val-d'Isère: Le K2 Chogori

The One Key Hotels

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Bourgogne-franche-comté, centre-val de loire, haut-de-france, île-de-france, nouvelle-aquitaine, pays de la loire, provence-alpes-côte d'azur.

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In Photos: Every Three Key Hotel in Paris

The ins and outs of the most outstanding hotels in the city.

One, Two and Three MICHELIN Keys

Just as the MICHELIN Stars recognize outstanding restaurants, hotels now have their own distinction.

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How To Turn an Entire Town Into a Bright Pink, One Key Wine Hotel

As you stroll the remote French village of Assignan, you can’t miss the colors of Chateau & Village Castigno, a wine hotel that’s been splashed throughout the town.

Three Keys in Bordeaux: The Hot Spring Hotel in Wine Country

Les Sources de Caudalie combines Vinotherapy from the famous French brand with a natural hot spring and an ancient vineyard.

Inside Room 311 of the Only Three Key Château in Paris

The so-called 'Piano Suite' is an exclusive oasis atop a completely singular Parisian manor.

Inside a Historic Tapestry of French Design: Provence's Two Key La Mirande

In the heart of Provence and steps from the palace where seven Popes once reigned, La Mirande is a time capsule of centuries of French decorative arts — all in an unmistakably luxurious hotel.

Where Bowie and Jagger Partied: Now a Dazzling One Key Hotel in Paris

Les Bains Paris was a spa for Proust and a nightclub for Bowie and Jagger. Now, it might be the city's hippest design hotel — recently awarded one of Paris' first MICHELIN Keys.

Three Key Dreamland: An Art-Drenched Wine Estate Decorated by Gehry and Dylan

Patrick McKillen turned an old French vineyard into a striking hotel with a collection of art and architecture to rival the world’s very best. It's among the first Three Key hotels in France.

Everything You Need to Know About the MICHELIN Key for Hotels

In April 2024, the MICHELIN Guide debuts a brand new distinction: the MICHELIN Key. While the MICHELIN Star recognizes the most outstanding restaurants in the world, the MICHELIN Key does the same for outstanding hotels. Here’s everything you need to know about the new distinction.

MICHELIN Hotel Lobbies Redefine Coworking for Modern Professionals

Discover the best hotel lobbies for communal working.

Aggro-Tourism: 12 Hotels for Blowing Off Steam

When the real world gets too heavy, you could escape to a comfy chair on a quiet beach. Or, you could release all that stress via more aggressive means. These hotels are for the latter.

This Week’s New Hotels

MICHELIN Guide hotel experts share their most exciting discoveries for the week of March 25.

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NC hospitality leaders: Don't spend hotel tax on non-tourism needs

N orth Carolina hospitality leaders want Charlotte's elected officials to stop even thinking about using hotel taxes to pay for "non-tourism" projects like transit.

Why it matters: The Charlotte region has a mounting list of infrastructure and housing needs yet limited finances to keep up with its growth. The booming hospitality revenue bucket could be a resource, some leaders say .

• But the hotel industry, and now Mayor Vi Lyles, have been quick to shut down the mere suggestion of dipping into tourism funds.

Catch up quick: By law, Mecklenburg County's room occupancy tax revenue is supposed to pay for only tourism-specific projects. Some argue mobility needs — like a light rail — would boost tourism.

What they're saying: Lynn Minges, North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association's CEO, warned in a letter to Charlotte City Council Monday that rules on how the tourism tax revenue is spent are not up to broad interpretation.

• "[I]f local elected officials decide to use it to fund affordable housing and other non-tourism related expenditures, that interpretation will be done by the courts," Minges said.
• She added that expenses benefiting the entire community and other businesses should not be paid for "on the back of one industry" with targeted taxes.
• In the letter, Minges urged council to "stay the course" and seek an increase in sales tax to pay for transit and mobility projects.

Mayor Vi Lyles, who was not part of the recent conversation about taxes, was swift to respond to Minges' concerns.

• "The conversation you referenced in your April 8 letter was just that — a conversation," Lyles wrote back on Tuesday.
• She clarified the city does not intend to change how it uses funds generated by hospitality taxes.
• "The trust our local hospitality and tourism leaders have placed in the City of Charlotte to use those funds to attract visitors to Charlotte and promote our region is not taken for granted," she added. "It is not our intent to breach that trust."

Zoom out: Asheville started using tourism money for needs like affordable housing. NCRLA says the mountain town's leadership has "manipulated and misinterpreted" its law.

The big picture: Vinay Patel, chair of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, told Axios last week that he'd be disappointed if the city tried to change how the taxes are spent.

• "I would be the first one to go to Raleigh and then see if I can get the taxes repealed," he said.

The city is expected to use hospitality funds to help renovate Bank of America Stadium. The venue, which hosts high-profile concerts and sporting events, is credited for keeping Uptown alive and the hospitality industry thriving in the pandemic's wake.

Get the rundown of the biggest stories of the day with Axios Daily Essentials.

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REPORT: Cayuga County Tourism office faces uncertain future if hotel tax overhaul is approved

• April 11, 2024 5:55 PM

The Cayuga County Office of Tourism could see a significant budget shortfall if a proposal to share hotel tax revenue with the City of Auburn goes through.

Officials with the agency warn that a split could lead to a $320,000 deficit, jeopardizing the agency’s operations, according to reporting this week by The Citizen.

This concern arises as the county considers renewing its 5% occupancy tax. Auburn’s request for half of the tax collected from its hotels has sparked debate on the future funding of tourism efforts in the county.

Auburn’s recent move to request a 50% share of the occupancy tax revenue collected from city hotels has prompted warnings from tourism officials about potential program cuts and job losses.

The dispute over the hotel tax revenue highlights the challenges of balancing local funding needs with broader tourism promotion efforts.

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