Richard J.

[quote user="Clair"] Le service ...  doit être inclus obligatoirement dans le montant de la note ou de la facture. ... Dans les restaurants ou débits de boissons où il est perçu un service, tous les documents (tarifs, menus...) doivent comporter la mention : " prix service compris ", suivie du pourcentage appliqué. [/quote] Thanks, Clair.  That seems clear enough.  I can only assume that there was some finger trouble at the till which produced the offending "service non compris" on the bill. 

[quote user="wen"]Yes, but what were the prices you paid?. Was it through the nose?[/quote] Not sure what that has to do with it.  The bill came to 77€ for lunch for the two of us, good value for the quality of food, wine and service.  I glanced at the total, saw that it was as expected, and paid by Carte Bleue in the usual way, leaving a small cash tip.  It was only after we had walked back home that I saw that the bill said "service non compris" underneath the line that said "Total 77.00 €". I'm aware of what is "usual", but I wanted a definitive view on the legal situation.  The Time Out guide Paris:Eating & Drinking says "Prices on restaurant menus must by law include a 12-15 per cent service charge".  Is that right?

After a good lunch in a Paris restaurant this week, I was surprised to notice afterwards that the bill said "service non compris".  I had understood for some years that service was included by law, in Paris if not in the whole of France.  I certainly didn't see anything on the menu to indicate that prices were exclusive of service.  Could a restaurant owner please clarify the legal position?