That is because bottle of water are overpriced in restaurants, as are all drinks. So this is their way of making money when the meal alone isn’t enough for them to be profitable. I don’t like this, they should charge the meal what they need. In France they are required by law to provide free tap water when requested.

I remember reading once (perhaps from UFC Que Choisir, a French consumer association), that filtering decreased the quality of water (in France), because the tap water quality was very good and controlled, your filter not so much, and it may develop bacteria.

To answer the original question, I always drink tap water in France, and have never once boiled it. I know people who filter it. I sometimes put it in the fridge if I want it colder. I’ve also drank tap water directly in the UK and in Germany. I would in any European country.

Go by the prophets, Child

Interesting but is it really more frequent than any other number in the script?