How to Use French Laundromats

Box of laundry detergent tide podsBefore you go:  Buy some laundry soap (lessive) – preferably tabs instead of powder – and liquid fabric softener (soupline).   Most laundromats have a machine to sell the soap and fabric softener, but it is quite expensive.  I used to advise getting around 10€ in coins but now almost all laundromats take credit cards and contactless payments.

Prices are usually around 4.50-6€ a load depending on the size of the machine, and 1.50€ for 10 minutes of dryer time.  If the prices are not posted, you push the paybox button that corresponds to the washer or dryer, or enter the machine number, and the price will appear.

Bottle of fabric softener for doing laundryWhat to do:  Choose your washer (don’t stuff it too full), choose your cycle, and then open up the compartment on top to put in your soap: drop one detergent tab each in the two biggest holes and pour a cap of fabric softener in the small hole (usually the holes go left to right: soap for pre-wash, soap for main wash, fabric softener for rinse).

Now pay at the paybox on the wall:  push the button for the machine you want to use (or tap the machine number into the keypad) then once you see the price, feed in the coins or insert/tap your card… and away you go.   Cycles take about an hour.  For dryers, the price you see when you push the button is usually for 5-10 minutes, but as soon as you feed the first coins you can see on the dryer how many minutes you just bought, and repeat accordingly to get the drying time you need.

In the Old Town, there are 2 laundromats:

  • Wash & Go at Place Vieille is the least crowded, but that’s probably because it is twice as expensive as the others, and with frequently mal-functioning dryers.
  • Laverie Bea is the best in Old Nice; not only the least expensive but also impeccably clean and well-maintained. You’ll find this tiny laverie tucked in the far end of rue Pairolière (just before Place Garibaldi).  Another advantage is that there is a little bar just across to pass the time.  Open to 8pm 7 days/week

Just outside the Old Town I recommend:

  • Plus Belle Laverie on 23 rue Delille, definitely lives up to its name.  It’s worth the walk for an adorably stylish laundromat that is as clean as it is cute.  The prices are kept low even though she has the latest generation machines, including a payment center using an easy tactile screen with clear pricing.  Open to 9pm, Tramway stop Garibaldi.

If you are not near the Old Town, just enter ‘laverie’ on google maps and you’ll find the once closest to you.

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