Ever wanted to experience France's fine-dining scene but haven't been able to justify the cost?

Well, it's your lucky day or it could be if you act quickly enough.

 

The reservations for Tous au Restaurant opened on Monday morning, allowing foodies from the world over to book a cheap(er) evening out in France between September 21st and October 4th.

 

The initiative, that was launched in 2010 by star-studded French chef Alaine Ducasse (pictured below) to get more people into restaurants in France, will see 923 eateries offering two guests a full menu – starter, main, and dessert – for the price of one.

 

(Ducasse poses in his restaurant “Le Jules Verne” at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Photo: AFP)

 

This year's event runs for two weeks rather than the usual one, and marks the first year that a wine list is included.

 

The restaurants include everything from cheap eateries – where you could dine for two for just €25 ($28) – to the likes of Le Petit Nice in Marseille which will set you back €395 ($447) for lunch alone.

 

READ ALSO: France's five top-rated restaurants

 

So what's the catch?

 

There doesn't appear to be one. Although people who took advantage of the initiative in recent years have taken to TripAdvisor to warn that it's only selected menus that are available – not the restaurant's usual full menu. 

 

And it might be tough to get a place. The official website has had an electronic countdown ticking down the minutes until Monday morning at 10am when the booking lines were open, suggesting the event may be as hotly anticipated as last year when around 500,000 people took part, according to the L'Express newspaper. 

 

There's even a second booking opportunity that opens on September 21st for those who missed out.

 

If you're not put off by potentially swarming restaurants, here is the full list of restaurants participating – and click here to book.