Using Toilets in France

[DavidofHook]

I have found this on my computer and am posting it as it may be helpful to others. I wrote it in 2016 but it is still applicable today

Information on Using a French Toilet

The French are very generous in that they often provide a choice of a British sit down type or a French style squat loo.

This Note is guidance on using the squat type.

1) Do not enter the cubicle without shoes. It may look like shower but it is not.

2) You will see a porcelain basin on the floor with steps for your feet and behind them a circular hole. Never put your hand or any part of yourself in this hole. Bring your own paper.

3). To use, stand on the steps and face the door with your back to the rear wall and the hole. Do not attempt to use with your back to the door, the results will be unsatisfactory. Do not slip.

4) Keep the paper in your hand. Do not leave it in your pocket.

5) When squatting, do not fall over into the bowl. For balance some people find that it is helpful to use the wall for support. For hygiene reasons do not put your hands in the bowl.

6) Carry out your business which health experts believe to be easier in this position. Aim for the round hole in the floor.

7) Do not urinate on your feet.

8) Put any used paper into the hole in the floor. Do not let it fall from a height as it may flutter down and adhere to your ankle or heel, particularly difficult, if in sandals. This is not good.

9) On completion step onto the tiled area in front of the door. Never flush while standing or squatting on the loo.

10) Before flushing unlock the door and be fully prepared to leave. Pull the chain and exit smartly. Failure to do so may cause the flush water to cover your feet. This can be unpleasant especially if you are in sandals.

This is based on my experience over many years and I hope that it's helpful.to others

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Or Take Van with own Ablutions that you already understand!

 

[dspuk]

Visited France for decades, been at least 15 years since I encountered an old style squat toilet over there.

 

[Vagophile]

10) Before flushing unlock the door and be fully prepared to leave. Pull the chain and exit smartly. Failure to do so may cause the flush water to cover your feet. This can be unpleasant especially if you are in sandals.

I remember my first encounter as a schoolboy. I made the mistake of hanging around to see how the contraption worked when I pulled the chain. Big mistake!
These are still quite common in more rural areas of Greece.

 

[kurienp]

Oh dear!

 

[DavidofHook]

Visited France for decades, been at least 15 years since I encountered an old style squat toilet over there.

Search and thou shalt find. You need to need to look for the run down bars in the backstreets.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

Reminds me of when we're out in the country with no loo or pub in site, as I say to the wife, 'squat, squirt and drip dry'.

 

[vmaxkiddy]

I would add,…Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to use these loos when wearing one piece motorcycle leathers.

 

[colintfcolintf]

I've seen similar style loos in Italy as well

 

[chockswahay]

Ha, you wanna try working in Jordan for 3 months living in the desert in a Bedouin house with a squat loo and diarrhoea for most of the time.........

 

[Corradobrit]

Visited France for decades, been at least 15 years since I encountered an old style squat toilet over there.

You need to get out more. They are still a thing, albeit a dying breed. I like the new auto cleaning Public Pissoir that are popping up all around France.

 

[Corradobrit]

It could be worse. The Chinese have public toilets that rival the worst. Just imagine the awkward stares

500 × 333

 

[dspuk]

You need to get out more. They are still a thing, albeit a dying breed. I like the new auto cleaning Public Pissoir that are popping up all around France.

You would have to go a long way to beat the railway toilets in Kenya when I was stationed there. The guy without legs wading into them on his hands was a sight to behold.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Ha, you wanna try working in Jordan for 3 months living in the desert in a Bedouin house with a squat loo and diarrhoea for most of the time.........

No I don’t!

 

[Vagophile]

These are still quite common in more rural areas of Greece.

And Bulgaria. This was the only loo on a rural site near Rila. Observe the (lack of) flushing mechanism.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

This is becoming a really 5h1t thread!

 

[Kayleigh]

10) Before flushing unlock the door and be fully prepared to leave. Pull the chain and exit smartly. Failure to do so may cause the flush water to cover your feet. This can be unpleasant especially if you are in sandals.

Step 10)
In my unpleasant experience, before flushing I recommend opening the door and standing outside. Then reach back in to flush before making a swift getaway!

 

[Vagophile]

This is becoming a really 5h1t thread!

To some people, me included, some of these offerings have a certain fascination.
As a child, our loo was a "bucket and chuck it" in a row of six, where the bucket was accessed via a round hole cut in a wooden plank seat.

 

[Kayleigh]

To some people, me included, some of these offerings have a certain fascination.
As a child, our loo was a "bucket and chuck it" in a row of six, where the bucket was accessed via a round hole cut in a wooden plank seat.

Where did you ‘chuck it’?

 

[larrylamb]

And Bulgaria. This was the only loo on a rural site near Rila. Observe the (lack of) flushing mechanism.View attachment 130110

More concerned about the light switch haha.

 

[Vagophile]

Where did you ‘chuck it’?

Into a central pit which was also where all the fire ashes were thrown. When the pit was full the mixture was excavated (by hand) from the pit and spread on the agricultural land. The vegetables cultivated had to be seen to be believed.

 

[willwander]

I have many tall toilet tales to tell.

In Gokarna, India I had to 5h1t on top of a herd of pigs, who squealed with excitement whenever anyone ‘arrived’.
That, however, was luxury compared to China, who held horrors too terrible to be told here.

 

[Vagophile]

I have many tall toilet tales to tell.

As I have remarked, there is a certain fascination in the way different nationalities and cultures go about this necessary function, not at all considered unusual by them.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

As I have remarked, there is a certain fascination in the way different nationalities and cultures go about this necessary function, not at all considered unusual by them.

In Turkey, and presumably further afield Southward and Eastwards, the squat toilet can be supplemented with a useful loose piece of hose on a tapped outlet often in lieu of both flush and paper. Personally, though, I would avoid use of it to replenish the California’s water tanks.

 

[Steve&Bev]

I have many tall toilet tales to tell.

In Gokarna, India I had to 5h1t on top of a herd of pigs, who squealed with excitement whenever anyone ‘arrived’.
That, however, was luxury compared to China, who held horrors too terrible to be told here.

Sounds like my kids reaction when presented with the wife’s cooking!!