Escargots are now on sale at Benoît (Courtesy Château et Hôtels Collection)

Paris may be feeling the economic pinch right now, but the outward signs are subtle. Unlike New York, where you'll find "recession specials" frequently advertised, Paris has yet to slap many sale stickers on its rooms and restaurants. That said, there are two promotions running now that have significantly lowered the cost of eating well in Paris.

The first comes from Guy Savoy, whose eponymous restaurant is often cited as one of the best in the city (18 Rue Troyon, 17th arrondissement, +011-33/8-26-10-13-07). He’s offering to let any teenager aged 15–17 years eat for free when accompanied by two paying adults. This is limited to one freebie per visit, but it could still save you hundreds of euros on a special-occasion meal.

For those who can't splurge on the set menu (the cheapest is €275/$360), the chef is offering a similar deal at his other three Paris eateries. Le Chiberta (3 rue Arsène Houssaye, 8th arrondissement, +011-33/1-53-53-42-00) is a swish modern-design restaurant, Les Bouquinistes (53 quai des Grands Augustins, 6th arrondissement, +011-33/1-43-25-45-94) is a crowd-pleasing bistro, and L'Atelier Maître Albert (1 rue Maître Albert, 5th arrondissement, +011-33/1-56-81-30-01) specializes in rotisserie meats. At these three (much cheaper) eateries, Savoy has also lowered the age limit: Any teenager from 12–17 years eats free when accompanied by two paying adults.

The second promotion comes from Châteaux and Hôtel Collections, a group that manages more than 500 swank hotel and restaurant properties in France. From now until May 15, their La France Re[Cuisinée] promotion lets you eat lunch for only €28 at a selection of restaurants across the country. In Paris, that applies to two very good restaurants from acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse: Aux Lyonnais (32 rue Saint-Marc, 2nd arrondissement, +011-33/1-42-96-65-04) and Benoît (20, rue Saint Martin, 4th arrondissement +011-33/1-42-72-25-76). It also includes L'Assiette (181 rue du Château, 14th arrondissement, +011-33/1-43-22-64-86), a bistro that has the local foodie crowd raving. I haven’t yet been to "the plate," but a promotion like this is sure to get me moving.

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