Sanisettes – Paris Public Toilets

Paris is an amazingly clean city. Street sweepers work every day of the week. And there are public toilets available on streets all over the city (420 of them). Until February of 2006 it cost 40 centimes (euro) to use one, but now they are accés gratuit (free!). According to an aide to the Paris mayor, the change was not done to help tourists (“Tourists do not have a problem paying”) but “to help everyone”.

The toilets are known by their brand name: Sanisettes. They’re made by JC Decaux, the same company that makes the advertising display systems all over Paris. The Sanisettes are high tech and resemble a Star Trek device. Instructions are written in French on the outside, but getting into them is no problem if you don’t speak French.

There is a red sign stating occupe if a person is inside or if someone has recently left but the unit is still cleaning itself. A big arrow points to a button. Push it and when the sanisette is libre (free) (or after completing its cleaning cycle) it will open.

The stainless steel door slides open robotically and you enter an excretory space capsule. Floor sensors detect your presence and automatically seal the door. Don’t worry about sitting on the bowl with wet droplets; it’s just been sanitized and disinfected. There is plenty of toilet paper. After finishing, you’ll note a running stream of water in a little opening behind you. Put your hands inside and you’ll be squirted with soap and you can wash. A blow dryer comes on automatically for the grand ending. There is a door handle inside so you can exit when you want to, but it will open in 15 minutes, ready or not. After you leave the unit, the door will close and you’ll hear whooshing and mechanical noises as it washes away all residue of your visit.
Caution: don’t leave small children alone in a Sanisette. The floor sensors require a certain weight to prevent the automatic cleaning cycle from triggering.