The Strict Laundry Rule All Tourists Must Follow While Staying In Paris

The best way to describe Parisians? Trés chic. Paris is the city of love, the city of elegance, and a city packed with iconic landmarks. If you've watched Emily in Paris, you'll know that the sense of style in Paris is something else. The French capital is one of the world's biggest fashion capitals, but that means there are so many unspoken etiquette rules in Paris that tourists need to be familiar with before visiting.

The people of Paris are not shy about showing their deep respect for beauty in their daily routines, to the point where there are even very strict laundry-related rules. In the City of Light, even the act of washing and drying your laundry comes with a certain decorum and follows strict cultural norms. Tradition and aesthetics generally come before practicality in Paris, and it is strictly forbidden for locals and visitors to hang their laundry to dry on their balconies. Why? Well, because it will change the aesthetics of the building, of course. Simply put, this is definitely something you should not do in Paris.

No matter how stylish your clothes are, they aren't going to enhance the magnificent architecture of Paris. Laundry is an unavoidable (and underrated, if you ask some) part of travel and clothes need to dry, but resist the temptation to hang them out in the Parisian sun. This doesn't just apply to Paris; according to English-language French news site The Connexion, "most French towns and cities have by-laws which forbid hanging washing from windows, citing safety and hygiene."

So, what to do? Well, the laundry rule isn't exhaustive, and you are generally free to hang your washing out, provided it doesn't face out onto any streets. If the public can't see it, it doesn't really matter. There is also a good chance that your accommodation will have a heated drying rack of some kind, which, while not ideal, is better than falling foul of the people. Better yet, take advantage of the many launderettes dotted around the city, supporting local businesses in the process.

While this might all sound frustrating, it doesn't mean that laundry (and dry clothes) are mythical in Paris. Many buildings have shared-space laundry rooms, so feel free to use these (and remember to respect community practices when doing so). In shared spaces, there are specific times of the day that are considered "quiet hours," so it is best to not kickstart the rumble and tumble of a washer or dryer at these times. More often than not, this means early in the morning and late at night. 

It is also wise to check whether Sunday is included in the quiet hours. Most Parisian buildings have thin walls, and doing laundry during those times could disrupt their day of relaxation. These common areas usually work on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't hog the machines. Get in, get your laundry done, and get back to exploring the magical streets of the French capital.