Corporate catering budget in Paris: prices, rates and what you really pay for
From €6 to €52 per person: what corporate catering costs in Paris depending on the service. Prices excl. VAT, costs to watch, tips for your budget.
How much does corporate catering in Paris cost? The honest answer: at L'Écrin Traiteur, from €6 to €52 per person excl. VAT depending on the service, from the afternoon break to the dinner reception, and on quote for a bespoke reception. But what really makes the difference is what you pay for, and what you do not see on the invoice.
Our prices by service, 2026 reference table
| Service | Price / person excl. VAT (low) | Price / person excl. VAT (high) | What explains the difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast (Classique formula to full breakfast) | €8 | €16 | Classique: pastries, juice, coffee, fruit. Full: madeleines or cakes, farmhouse yoghurts, a wider selection of juices |
| Afternoon break (corporate afternoon snack) | €6 | €15 | A simple break (cookies or madeleines + a drink) or premium (macarons, tartlets, fresh fruit, hot drinks) |
| Individual lunch tray | €28.90 | €30.90 | Vegetarian, roast chicken or smoked salmon menu; starter, main, dessert and bread included |
| Sharing menu | €34.90 | €37.90 | Menu sized for 8 to 12 people, chosen from several recipes |
| Cocktail reception (8, 12 or 16 canapés) | €29.90 | €51.90 | Number of canapés per person: L'Invitation, La Réception, La Célébration |
| Bespoke reception | On quote | On quote | Format, headcount, live cooking stations and venue |
Delivery €29 excl. VAT in Paris and nearby towns, €50 minimum order (excl. VAT), company invoicing with VAT.
What quotes do not always show
When you compare catering quotes in Paris, watch out for hidden costs that blow up the final bill:
- Delivery charges, from €15 to €60 depending on the area and the caterer. L'Écrin Traiteur states its charge from the quote: €29 excl. VAT in Paris and nearby towns.
- Tableware, plates, cutlery and napkins can add €3 to €8 per person.
- The minimum order, some caterers require a minimum of €200 to €500. L'Écrin Traiteur starts at €50 excl. VAT.
- Service charges, for cocktail receptions and buffets, some caterers charge waiting staff separately (€80 to €150 per waiter per hour).
- VAT, food is charged at 5.5% or 10% depending on the product, but the service itself may be at 20%. Always check the VAT breakdown on the quote.
How to optimise your corporate catering budget
Three practical levers to keep the quality while controlling costs:
- Choose the right format, a Classique formula at €8 per person excl. VAT can replace a sharing menu at €34.90 per person excl. VAT for a 45-minute meeting. Compare our lunch trays and our cocktail receptions and buffets to match the format to the occasion. Think about the format before the caterer.
- Order ahead, ordering before 2 pm the day before avoids the "last minute" surcharges some caterers apply. From 50 people or for several sites, 48 hours' notice is recommended.
- Work with a specialist caterer, a specialist corporate caterer (such as L'Écrin Traiteur) will be cheaper and better than a general caterer for this type of service. Specialisation makes it possible to optimise volumes and logistics.
Request a tailored quote within 24 hours
From a tray of pastries to a dinner reception, each budget matches a specific format: it is up to you to choose the one that serves your occasion. Explore our corporate catering offer and request your quote for clear pricing, a detailed VAT breakdown and no hidden costs. Delivery from 6:30 am in Paris and Île-de-France, reply within 24 hours.
Update, October 2026: the prices shown are catalogue prices. The rule remains an order until 2 pm the day before, with 48 hours' notice recommended from 50 people or for several sites.
Frequently asked questions
How much does corporate catering in Paris cost per person?
At L'Écrin Traiteur: from €8 excl. VAT for a Classique breakfast and from €12 to €16 for the full breakfast, from €6 for an afternoon break, from €28.90 to €30.90 for a lunch tray, from €34.90 to €37.90 for a sharing menu and from €29.90 to €51.90 for a cocktail reception of 8, 12 or 16 canapés. A bespoke reception is priced on quote. Delivery is extra: €29 excl. VAT in Paris and nearby towns.
What hidden costs should you watch for on a catering quote?
Check above all the delivery charges (€15 to €60 depending on the area), tableware (€3 to €8 per person), the minimum order (sometimes €200 to €500), waiting staff charges for cocktail receptions, and the VAT breakdown (5.5%, 10% or 20% depending on the item). At L'Écrin Traiteur, delivery is stated from the quote, €29 excl. VAT in Paris and nearby towns, and the minimum order is €50 excl. VAT.
How can you reduce your catering budget without losing quality?
Three levers: choose the right format (a Classique formula at €8 per person excl. VAT can replace a sharing menu at €34.90 excl. VAT for a short meeting), order ahead (before 2 pm the day before avoids last-minute surcharges), and work with a specialist caterer who optimises volumes and logistics. For recurring orders or large volumes, a preferential rate is possible.
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