Anyone Been to Flunch in Paris?
#1
Original Poster
Joined: May 2003
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Anyone Been to Flunch in Paris?
DH and I leave next week for our sixth Paris vacation; can anyone give us info on Flunch? Would like to know kind of menus they offer, approx cost, and locations, if possible. Merci beaucoup!
#3
Joined: Nov 2003
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Flunch, a chain of buffet cafeterias are a favorite of me in France but i don't think will fulfill the rather expensive food tastes i pick up in Fodorites. A recenet post to wit: Can i eat in Paris for under $100! At Flunch you'll probably spend about $10 for your choice of meats and then unlimited helpings from the buffet of vegetables, pasta dishes, salads, etc. Yes unlimited, unheard of in France, with cheap carafes of wine, etc. But it's real French food, like the normal people eat, sort of like our Country Buffet, now re-named Hometown Buffets across America. There are Flunches all over Paris and France - on the road look for Auchan hypermarches, many of which have Flunches on their premises. Best of all - no dealing with surly waiters or figuring out whether to tip or not (in France only tourists tip in normal restaurants as a 15% or so fee is added on to the bill automatically, though some may tip in fancy places or leave a few sous anyone. I've found the Flunch food excellent and unlike restaurants i've been to costing several times as much i don't leave feeling hungry!
#6
Joined: Nov 2004
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I have been to lunch many times in Paris. There are many fine places to go! They offer menus that are written in french. They usually offer soups, assorted fromage plates, canard, steak and frites, mussels, quiche, jambon (sandwiches), etc. The resturants are located everywhere By the way, I thnk you made a a typo -you added an extra "F" on lunch. Give my regards to Mr. Lawrence and hope his next novel is his best!
#7
Joined: Oct 2004
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I have been to two Flunch restaurants in Toulouse, France, and they both were revolting. Too much money for the quality and taste you get. You would be much happier eating some bread and cheese for half the price.
They give you "all you can eat" overcooked vegetables, which is their gimmick. For some reason, the French like that.
They give you "all you can eat" overcooked vegetables, which is their gimmick. For some reason, the French like that.
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#8
Joined: Jun 2003
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I was thinking of going to one near the Pompidou Center, but when I got close to the entrance I smelled some deep-fried grease that I thought was just revolting. Maybe that has nothing to do with the food, but the smell really got to me and I gave up that idea.
#12
Joined: Jan 2003
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It's a decent place to grab lunch, nothing 'gourmet' but better than McD's. You get ice at the soda dispenser, too, if you're missing that. Flunch is especially useful if you need to feed a family. Last time I was there, they had a salad bar w/fruit, the hot bar (good frites) and wine/beer in the cold case. We ate at the Les Halles location; there's one other but don't recall where.
#15
Joined: Mar 2004
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There is a TV commecial of Flunch on French TV but if some people have never heard about it, it's not a big loss to them.
I ate at Flunch only once, located next to Nice Railway station a few years ago, mainly because of convenience (was Sunday, many restaurants were closed, was in the neibourhood). That one was a sort of cheapy self-service place, the quality of the food likewise, a bit less than decent. Nothing to complain about because I had expected very little. I would not look for one in Paris or anywhere but why not try once if it's convenient for you. I've seen better self-service places but they are a bit more expensive too.
I ate at Flunch only once, located next to Nice Railway station a few years ago, mainly because of convenience (was Sunday, many restaurants were closed, was in the neibourhood). That one was a sort of cheapy self-service place, the quality of the food likewise, a bit less than decent. Nothing to complain about because I had expected very little. I would not look for one in Paris or anywhere but why not try once if it's convenient for you. I've seen better self-service places but they are a bit more expensive too.
#16
Joined: Jan 2003
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I've been to France a number of times myself, and I'd never heard of these places until I read about it here once before. Here in New York a lot of delis and markets have cooked foods and salads that you load into plastic containers and take home, aka, 'food by the pound.'
This sounds similar in quantity and perhaps in quality as well, except you can eat it there. But sometimes with any of us, convenience wins out.
I've eaten meals in Paris a number of times and I have not had to deal with surly waiters nor have I been concerned with figuring out a tip, so that wouldn't be a factor for me.
This sounds similar in quantity and perhaps in quality as well, except you can eat it there. But sometimes with any of us, convenience wins out.
I've eaten meals in Paris a number of times and I have not had to deal with surly waiters nor have I been concerned with figuring out a tip, so that wouldn't be a factor for me.
#17

Joined: Jan 2003
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It's just a cafeteria with inexpensive entrées - crayons and silly placemats for kids, that sort of thing.
We've been to one in Paris and one in Bordeaux - years ago, when the kids were little and were going through a I-want-spaghetti-bolognese phase.
I believe there are two of them in Paris:
FLUNCH CAULAINCOURT
1-3, rue de Caulaincourt 75018 PARIS
Place de Clichy
+33 (1).45.22.39.52
FLUNCH LES HALLES
Forum des Halles - 5-7, rue Pierre Lescot
75001 PARIS
Les Halles
+33 (1).42.33.52.35 - Fax : +33 (1).42.33.52.35
I wouldn't go out of my way to find one.
We've been to one in Paris and one in Bordeaux - years ago, when the kids were little and were going through a I-want-spaghetti-bolognese phase.
I believe there are two of them in Paris:
FLUNCH CAULAINCOURT
1-3, rue de Caulaincourt 75018 PARIS
Place de Clichy
+33 (1).45.22.39.52
FLUNCH LES HALLES
Forum des Halles - 5-7, rue Pierre Lescot
75001 PARIS
Les Halles
+33 (1).42.33.52.35 - Fax : +33 (1).42.33.52.35
I wouldn't go out of my way to find one.


