Eating cheap in Paris without Champs-Élysées tourist trap sandwiches or McDonald's. Did the math on every recommendation by arrondissement.

L'Ami Jean lunch menu — €15.90 for 3 courses, proper Basque bistro food, Boulevard Saint-Germain near Invalides Métro. Book ahead. Best value per calorie in 7th arrondissement.

Marché Saint-Germain food court — Vietnamese banh mi €6.50, Greek souvlaki €8.20, Italian focaccia €4.80. Indoor market near Mabillon Métro with real vendors, not chains. Beats Champs-Élysées street food trucks.

Boulangeries for lunch — Jambon-beurre €4-5, quiche lorraine slice €3.50, pain au chocolat €1.20. Eric Kayser locations and Du Pain et des Idées near République worth extra €1.

University cafeterias — CROUS locations open to public, full meal €3.30 with student ID, €8.20 without. Sorbonne in Latin Quarter and Jussieu in 5th have decent ones. Not gourmet but fills you up properly.

Total daily food budget possible: €25-30 with café and dinner included around Marais or République. I've done €22 on a good day shopping at Monoprix.