These are "workingmen's restaurants". You often get an appetizer bar (salads, pate, pickles), a set plate (maybe no choice or 2 choices), a dessert, and 50 cl of wine or cider. Very basic, but fun. We've been to one near St Malo, and tomorrow go to another near Quimper. Look for a restaurant advertising "Dejeuner formula 16E." Look also for the parking lot filled with white workingclass step-vans. And these are lunch-only places.
Yep, 16 Euros for all that.
I would add the "Relais Routiers" to the list of budget options. They're a real institution in France. Easily recognizable by their round red and blue logo. They cater to working people (many truck drivers) but also to tourists. Simple, inexpensive, home-style cooking.
https://www.relais-routiers.com/
There's a map to help you find them.
They're not like the famous Parisian "bouillons" (traditional restaurants) which are now just a fad to make money off naive people looking for authenticity.
Good info, I've made a note of it :) Thanks!
I assumed the OP was referring to Les Routiers, but without the French name, it’s not clear what he’s writing about and certainly none of the English-speakers will come upon a sign that says “workingmen’s restaurants”.
If it is les Routiers, note that a few, particularly along some autoroutes, are still restricted to truck drivers.
And some require reservations.
I assumed the OP was referring to Les Routiers, but without the French name, it’s not clear what he’s writing about and certainly none of the English-speakers will come upon a sign that says “workingmen’s restaurants”.
If it is les Routiers, note that a few, particularly along some autoroutes, are still restricted to truck drivers.
Les Routiers & "restaurants ouvriers" are different things. The latter are found near the industrial areas of mid-sized towns, but they are getting rare, as chain bistrots like Bistrot Régent are gaining momentum.
