In France the law demands that the service/cover charge must be included in all prices displayed in bars and restaurants.  This is the charge levied for your table and, usually, for bread.  It does not indicate that tipping is not welcome or expected in return for good service.  As long as service has been good, you should generally leave a little extra by rounding up the bill.  If you are in a bar, it would be appropriate to round the bill to the next euro and in a restaurant a little more, up to 10% if you're feeling generous - but it always depends what value for money you felt you got and how good the service was.  Just remember that the driving point behind tipping is on service and the amount left should reflect the service given.

Most French do not tip for just a couple of drinks, though they may leave the "loose change" if it's just a few centimes.  However, most do tip a small amount in restaurants provided the service has been good.

Here are some comments from some ordinary French people concerning tipping in restaurants and bars:

"As far as my husband and I are concerned, we leave a tip when we eat in a decent restaurant.  When you see young people of school age serving - we know that they work hard and are payed little!  We leave 1 or two euros (I would like to leave more, but ...!).  When in a bar I don't leave a tip if it's just for a cup of tea."

"In fact service charge is always included, but it's normal to leave a few coins for the waiter.  It's not compulsory, I don't bother if the waiter is not very nice or if I've had to wait too long,  otherwise I'll leave something.  How much?  It's a matter of personal choice, for example, 20 cents for two coffees or a euro for a meal."

The original quotes, untranslated:

"Pour notre part mon mari et moi, nous laissons un pourboire quand nous mangeons dans un restaurant amélioré.  Quand nous voyons qu'il ya des élèves, des jeunes employés - nous savons qu'ils travaillent beaucoup et sont mal payés!.  Nous laissons 1 ou 2 euros (j'aimerai laisser plus, mais.....!).  Quand je suis dans un bar je ne laisse pas de pourboire pour une simple tasse de café."

"En effet le service est toujours compris, mais c'est une habitude de laisser quelques pièces au serveur. Ce n'est pas une obligation, moi mème si le serveur n'est pas sympa ou si j'ai trop attendu je ne laisse rien, sinon je laisse une pièce.  Combien?  C'est personnel, par exemple, 0.20€ pour deux cafés ou 1€ pour un repas."