You may have heard about it from friends returning from Japan, seen it in videos, or spotted it on bathroom equipment websites: the bidet shower, also known as a "bidet seat" or "Japanese toilet", is appealing to more and more French households. But what exactly is it, how does it work, and why is it becoming so popular? Let's take a closer look.

What is a bidet shower?

A bidet shower is an intimate hygiene system built directly into the toilet, which replaces or supplements toilet paper with a jet of water. Unlike the traditional bidet—that separate fixture that used to be installed next to the toilet and has now almost disappeared from French bathrooms due to lack of space—the modern bidet shower takes the form of a bidet seat: a bowl or seat fitted with a retractable nozzle that sprays an adjustable jet of water.

Two main types are available on the market:

• The removable bidet seat: it attaches to an existing standard toilet bowl, much like an accessory that you can install yourself in a few minutes.
• The integrated Japanese toilet: here, the bidet function is built into the bowl from the outset, often with additional features (heated seat, warm-air drying, remote control).

How does a bidet seat work?

The basic principle is generally the same from one model to another. A nozzle, usually retracted and invisible when not in use, extends automatically or on command to spray an adjustable jet of water in terms of pressure and position. The user activates the function via a remote control, an integrated control panel, or sometimes a side control on simpler models.

Features vary depending on the range:

• Adjustable pressure and jet position, to suit different body types
• Warm or hot water, on models equipped with a tank or a hot water connection
• Warm-air drying at the end of the cycle, to completely eliminate the need for toilet paper
• Automatic nozzle cleaning, before and after each use, for impeccable hygiene
• Automatic lid opening and closing, on high-end models

Why are more and more households adopting the bidet shower

Significantly better hygiene than toilet paper. Water cleans more effectively than simply wiping, which reduces irritation and improves daily intimate comfort—an argument often cited by people suffering from hemorrhoids, skin sensitivity, or simply seeking greater cleanliness.

A concrete reduction in toilet paper consumption. Over the course of a year, a household equipped with a bidet shower can significantly reduce its toilet paper consumption, with a positive impact on both the budget and the environment.

Comfort in its own right. Heated seat in winter, warm water jet, automatic drying: the experience is completely different from that of a standard toilet, with a real improvement in comfort noticeable from the very first uses.

Growing cultural popularity. The Japanese toilet has been standard for decades in Japan, where over 80% of households are equipped with one. This culture of hygiene is increasingly being exported to Europe, driven by travelers who return home won over.

Bidet seat or complete Japanese toilet: which should you choose?

The choice depends mainly on your budget and your renovation project:

• If you want to try the bidet function without a major investment and without replacing your current toilet, the removable bidet seat is the simplest and quickest solution to install.
• If you are in the middle of a bathroom renovation or want a complete, fully integrated design, a Japanese toilet designed from the outset with a washing function offers a more sophisticated, quieter, and often more durable experience.

Installation: is it complicated?

Good news: installing a bidet shower generally does not require major plumbing work. Most models simply connect to the existing cold water supply behind the toilet via a T-shaped fitting that does not cut off the standard flush water supply. For models with heated water or electrical functions (drying, heated seat), an electrical outlet nearby is required—something to check before purchase if your current installation does not have one.

Maintenance and durability

A bidet shower requires fairly simple maintenance: most models include automatic nozzle cleaning with each use, which limits the need for manual handling. Regular cleaning of the bowl and control panel, just like with a standard toilet, is enough to maintain optimal hygiene over the long term. Simply check the warranty period of the model you choose, as it is a good indicator of the robustness of the electronic components.