In Eure, a menu at 10 euros to make the restaurant accessible to all budgets

In the middle of a crowded room, where the waitress must sneak between customers who have a drink at the counter while waiting for a table to free himself, Monique appreciates the warm atmosphere of the Duranvillais: “I am 84 years old, I came with my friend Régine, 90 years old, and we are much better here than each alone at home. »»

The atmosphere of this road restaurant placed on the edge of the RD 613 in Duranville (Eure), a stopover appreciated on the Paris-Caen road, is not the only asset of the place that day, in the eyes of Monique: “When we see the quality of the kitchen, we say that for 10 euros it is really cheap! »»

Indeed, like all the last Thursdays of the month, the Duranvillais offers this February 27 a menu called “Anti-crisis”, at the unbeatable price of 10 euros. The other days, the lunch menu is set at 16 euros. “We all talk about the disturbing economic situation, life is increasingly difficult. People don’t have much money. We therefore launched this idea last November with the aim that the maximum number of people can go to the restaurant once in time, ”explains Françoise Furet, who manages the establishment with her husband Pascal.

Suppliers also play the game

On the menu, this Thursday: buffet of entrances (mayonnaise eggs, grated carrots, pedestrian), sautéed from Provencal turkey served with gruyère shells, and some desserts of your choice: Caramel cream, Paris-Brest, chocolate mousse. “It is homemade as much as possible, 80 %,” explains the owner, which plans to serve 75 covers on the day of the operation, against 45 usually.

Between two budget meetings, Véronique Lebocey, the mayor of Duranville, the town of 150 inhabitants where the restaurant is installed, lunch quickly. “It’s a superb initiative, I came to support this operation, it is a house that creates link in the town. We also meet local craftsmen, retirees and people passing through! »»

Despite the attendance and a flourishing case, at 65 years old Françoise Furet would now like to give up her place and retire. “I am starting to be tired, but we have trouble finding a buyer, the banks do not lend easily. With my husband, we fought in 2005 to set up this restaurant, which also includes a tobacco, press and PMU space, it is not to see it close. However, there is a very good potential for a courageous buyer, ”she concludes, in the hope of giving ideas to readers in search of new projects.