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Paris hotels angry over tourist tax hike ahead of Olympics

Paris hoteliers were up in arms on Tuesday over a government plan to triple the tax paid by visitors on nights at hotels next year when the capital hosts the Olympics.

Published: 19 December 2023 17:29 CET

Paris hotels angry over tourist tax hike ahead of Olympics

A hotel in Paris in August 2020 (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)

The tourist tax in Paris now varies from €0.25 a night for the most basic accommodation to €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.

READ MORE: What is France’s tourist tax and where is it charged?

“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 government has said the 200-percent increase in the tourist tax will help fund public transport.

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 Querard, 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.”

READ MORE: Hotels, tickets and scams: What to know about visiting Paris for the 2024 Olympics

Hotels have already increased their rates for a night during the Olympics from July 26 to August 11.

President Emmanuel Macron’s government is to invoke 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.

READ MORE: Paris to hike Metro prices during Olympic Games

The regional transport authority is to near-double metro fares for single tickets and 10-ticket passes during the Olympics.

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French films with English subtitles to watch in June 2024

Lost in Frenchlation has plenty in store for English-speakers looking to enjoy French cinema this June in Paris.

With six films on the docket this month, there will be something for everyone. On top of that, there are special film screenings to honour the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and Father’s Day, plus the Champs-Elysées Film festival, two Q&As with directors, a stand-up performance, and a walking tour. As usual, come early to chit-chat, enjoy pre-drinks and meet fellow English-speakers.

You can also subscribe to the weekly Lost in Frenchlation newsletter with more updates here, or visit their website Lost in Frenchlation.

Quelques jours pas plus

Sunday, June 2nd, Luminor, 20 Rue du Temple, 75004 Paris

Directed by Julie Navarro, this film is about a music journalist, Arthur, who finds himself relegated to daily news reporting on the ground. While covering the evacuation of a migrant camp outside of Paris, he is the victim of police violence, which makes him the new face of the refugee cause.

This brings Arthur into the world of Mathilde, a former lawyer and head of an NGO supporting migrants. As he becomes more enamoured of Mathilde, he finds himself agreeing to host a young Afghan refugee, Daoud, while his application is processed. Arthur is promised the whole thing shouldn’t take ‘more than a few days’.

Stick around after the screening for a Q&A with the director and the lead actor. Arrive early for pre-drinks from 7pm. The screening will start at 8pm.

Tickets – Between €7 and €11, depending on your situation. You can reserve them here.

La Grande Vadrouille

Thursday, June 6th, Luminor, 20 Rue du Temple, 75004 Paris

This French-British comedy film was directed by Gérard Oury and premiered in 1966. In honour of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, mark your calendar for this classic about the crew of a RAF bomber that was shot down over Paris. The group has one order – to rally at the hammam. In the process of trying to escape German-occupied France, they are helped by a couple of French civilians.

Arrive early for pre-drinks at 7pm, with the screening beginning at 8pm.

Tickets – Between €7 and €11 depending on your situation. You can reserve in advance here.

Marcello Mio

Friday, June 14th, L’Entrepôt, 7 Rue Francis de Pressensé, 75014 Paris

Directed by Christophe Honoré, Marcello Mio is about the real-life actress and daughter of French actress Catherine Deneuve and Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni, Chiara. She decides one summer to live exactly like her father.

This means dressing, speaking, eating and acting like him in all of her interactions. Eventually, people start calling her by her father’s name – Marcello – as she explores his legacy.

Arrive early for the Women of Paris walking tour at 5pm. Pre-drinks will start at 7pm, and the screening will be at 8pm.

Tickets – Between €5 to €8.50 for the film – you can reserve them here. The walking tour tickets are €17 and you can reserve them here.

Nous les leroy

Sunday, June 16th, Le Balzac,1 Rue Balzac, 75008 Paris

Celebrate Father’s Day with a film about family. Directed by Florent Bernard and starring Charlotte Gainsbourg, this film tells the story of Sandrine and her family after she tells her husband, Christophe, that she wants a divorce.

In response, Christophe does everything he can to try to save his marriage, organising a trip to make Sandrine remember about all of their memories.

Arrive early for pre-drinks from 7pm, and the screening will start at 8pm. Stick around for a Q&A with the director.

Tickets – From €5.50 to €11.50, depending on your situation. You can buy them here.

Champs-Elysées Film Festival

With several films on the docket for the festival, Lost in Frenchlation has partnered with the organisers to schedule a screening of ‘Il était une fois Michel Legrand‘ with English subtitles, a documentary using never-before-seen footage of Michel Legrand, the famous jazz musician and composer.

The festival itself will run from June 18th-25th, but the special screening is scheduled for Sunday, June 23rd.

Arrive early for rooftop drinks and a concert of Michel Legrand’s music at the Publicis Cinema, which boasts a view of the Arc de Triomphe. Then stick around after the screening for a Q&A with the film crew. The cocktail hour beforehand will involve an open bar (wine, beer and soft drinks) plus a plate of antipasti.

When? Cocktail hour from 6pm, with the concert starting at 7pm. The Screening will start at 8pm, and it will be followed the the Q&A.

Where? Publicis Cinéma,129 avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008, Paris

How much? Early-bird tickets cost €30; Normal price are €35. Purchase them here.

IEUFML_TEASER_SALES_H264_HD25P_VOSTA_20 from Lost in Frenchlation on Vimeo.

Le Deuxième Acte

Thursday, June 27th, L’Arlequin, 76 Rue de Rennes, 75006 Paris

The latest film by director Quentin Dupieux, who is known for his absurd stories and dark humour. It tells the story of Florence (Léa Seydoux) who is madly in love with David (Louis Garrel). She wants to introduce him to her father, Guillaume (Vincent Lindon), but she does not realise that David is not interested in her. In reality, David is trying to get rid of her by pushing her toward his friend Willy (Raphaël Quenard).

Arrive early for drinks and an ice cream tasting at 7pm. There will also be a pre-screening stand-up comedy show by Elspeth Graty. The screening itself will start at 8pm.

Tickets – From €13 to €15. You can reserve them here.

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