“The price-quality ratio is impeccable, nothing to say”: the university restaurant in Béziers makes people happy

Every day, the Du Guesclin university restaurant welcomes nearly 400 people. Midi Libre – Rodrigue Delpas

Chaque jours, le restaurant universitaire Du Guesclin accueille près de 400 personnes.

Chaque jours, le restaurant universitaire Du Guesclin accueille près de 400 personnes.

Chaque jour, le restaurant universitaire Du Guesclin, à Béziers, sert environ 400 couverts. On y retrouve des étudiants, mais pas que.

The smell is enticing when you walk through the door. You haven't even started climbing the stairs yet, and it's already in your nostrils. Located between the IUT and the André-Malraux media library, the university restaurant (RU) Du Guesclin, in Béziers, has been serving nearly 400 meals every lunchtime for about fifteen years. And not just students. Surely thanks to its very affordable prices (read below).

As in any cafeteria or self-service restaurant, you take your tray and choose what you want to eat. At 11:30, opening time, the line is not too long, you can get through quite easily, around 12:30, it starts to get longer. UK closes at 2pm.

As it is posted on the wall, it is either 1 starter, 1 main course and 1 dessert; or 2 starters and 1 main course; or 1 main course and 2 desserts. With a small bread included. Cutlery is also provided for customers. For the main course, it is served by two Crous employees, according to the selection of the day.

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“The employees always have a smile, it's warm”

Then comes the payment, with two other agents, a few steps further. There, we quickly recognize the regulars, who smile, call each other by their first name and ask how they are. We even wish each other a good weekend. “I've been eating here every lunchtime for three years, we're always made to feel welcome, confirms Salma, 20, in a BUT social career program at the University of Béziers. The employees always have a smile, they say hello, it's warm. It's a change from everyday life.”

The seating at the table is free, everyone eats where they want. By taking the stairs, you can access a quieter floor. At 1 p.m., the tables are full, and it's not just students. “Oh no, laugh Valérie and Jocelyn. We're not at university anymore, we work at the DGFIP, the Directorate General of Public Finances. We eat here once or twice a week, especially because it's right next to our workplace.”

“The only downside is the bread”

A few tables further on, we can also see uniforms. “We come from Cirfa, the Armed Forces Information and Recruitment Center,” explains the table. Since we don't have a canteen, an agreement was signed with the State so that we can eat here. We have a daily package, we are here every day.”

And, if all these people come here, because of proximity or the low prices, what do they think of the quality of the food ? “I find that the diversity of dishes offered is interesting, indicates Salma. There is a bit of everything and it is rather good, especially for a one euro meal, since I am a scholarship student. The only downside is the bread, it's frozen and really not good.”

“When you leave here, you're full”

The same story from DGFIP employees, Valérie and Jocelyn: “The price is very reasonable compared to what's offered. When you leave here, you're full.” On the other hand, we are more nuanced about the quality of the food. “It depends on the day, it fluctuates. Sometimes, especially with vegetables, it lacks seasoning, it doesn't have much taste. Today, it's okay.”

On the military side, we are more or less of the same opinion: “The quality-price ratio is impeccable, nothing to say,” they say. It's not very varied, but it's not bad. On the other hand, it lacks cheese, or vegetables sometimes. It could be a bit more diverse. In terms of quantity, it's more than enough.”

Everything is prepared on site, after delivery by catering suppliers. “We also work with local producers,” explains Thierry Jeannot, the brewery/cafeteria manager. For example, our fruits and vegetables come from Béziers. There are national contracts but we try to work with suppliers from the region.”

Advantageous rates

Under the aegis of the Crous Occitanie, the university restaurant allows you to eat at a very affordable price. "These are national rates, it is not the Crous Occitanie that decides, and even less so Béziers, explains Thierry Jeannot, the brasserie/cafeteria manager. It's 3.30 euros for an average student, 1 euro for a scholarship holder, and 30 cents for a work-study student. The rates are automatically calculated based on their file recorded on their Izly card, which is also their student card." You can therefore pay with your Izly card but also with your bank card.

Access to the university restaurant is free, anyone can eat there. For people who are no longer students, the rate is 8.25 euros.

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