Phone: 01-47-42-39-84
For the cheapest lunch in Paris, proceed directly to the basement canteen in the Madeleine Church. Not only is the three-course meal breathtakingly affordable, but it is philanthropic to boot -- all proceeds go to the work being done by the church. Seating is at shared tables in a massive cafeteria that seems to go on forever. The menu changes daily, and fish is often included on Friday. When you sit down, a row of entreés is already on the table. You might find a choice between crudités on a bed of mâche (lamb's lettuce), pieces of tuna and tomatoes, or a couple of slices of dried sausage. That might be followed by a choice of two hot dishes, which are served by a fleet of very gentle, properly attired ladies who volunteer their services. Try the roast lamb or the chicken brochette and the puréed potatoes or the mixed beans. Dessert is fresh fruit, yogurt, pudding, or cheese. Wine will set you back another 5€, but the bottle of mineral water is only an extra 0.45€. Coffee is not part of the package. When you arrive, and before you sit down, you will pay the cashier and be asked if you would like to contribute a little bit extra to help cover the people that the church feeds for free. Mais oui!
Comments courtesy of Great Eats Paris by Sandra Gustafson, (c) 2004, Chronicle Books LLC.