Budget-Friendly Travel Tips for Your Next French Vacation

You can walk through Paris with its cobbled streets, enjoy wine and cheese in the rolling French countryside or experience the warm golden French Riviera, without having to spend your fortune. A dream vacation in France does not necessarily empty your wallet as many people may think. By being both thoughtful and flexible, and having a few insider secrets, you are able to see the very best of France – its iconic sites as well as its lunches and countryside secrets, without breaking the budget.

The diversity of France is its beauty. You can drink espresso in one of the corners of the cafes in Montmartre, visit the fields of lavender in Provence, hike in the French Alps, or even walk around the medieval villages without necessarily spending a lot of money. French joie de vivre is not about luxury, it is enjoying the simple things in life – a warm croissant, a local market or a sunset on the Seine.

The following are some of the tested budget travel tips that can enable you to enjoy France in a genuine and cost effective manner:

1. Travel During the Off-Season 

Everything depends on timing on how to plan a French escape. In case you would like to see the beauty of the country without people and without overcharging, do not come during the period when the country is on the peak of tourist season. Summer, June through August, is normally the time of the waves of tourists, queues, and high prices at hotels, particularly in Paris and the Riviera.

Rather, target the shoulder seasons, between April and the beginning of June or between September and the beginning of November. The weather is also favorable in these months, the locals are never in a hurry, and there is a great saving in terms of flights and accommodation. There will be less traffic in popular attractions such as Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Mont Saint-Michel. Better still, cozy cafes, open-air markets and vineyards will be less bustling and you will experience a more local and authentic feel.

Another under-sell season is winter (when it is not the Christmas holidays), as is at the festive lights in Paris or even the appeal of the snow-covered Alpine villages at a fraction of the cost.

2. Use Budget Airlines and Trains

France is amazingly well networked – hence budget travelling is convenient and timely. In the case of international travelling, low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, Easy Jet and Transavia often provide low-cost flights throughout Europe. To maximize on the best deals, book ahead, travel on hand (no luggage charges involved) and be open to change of dates.

In France, train transportation is scenic and rapid. High speed TGV (Train a Grande Vitesse) can travel across Paris, Lyon, Marseille or Bordeaux through the day in a few hours. Nevertheless, last-minute booking is expensive, and preparations can be done in advance on Oui.sncf or Ouigo, the affordable service at the trains in France. Ouigo tickets have a reputation of being cheaper than even a restaurant meal – perfect in case of jumping between cities.

FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus are the least expensive intercity transport options with affordable fares, and in most cases free Wi-Fi and comfortable seats. Another entertaining method of saving money and getting to know locals is via Ridesharing (BlaBlaCar a French trusted carpooling platform).

3. Consider Alternative Accommodations

Don’t spend a lot of money to visit a hotel in France, it is time to see the country with its cheap, but lovely substitutes. Hostels, guesthouses, and Airbnb accommodation is very common and is affordable as it is more comfortable and also has the personality. To get as local as possible, you may want to consider Couchsurfing, and stay in the house of hosts, which is a great way of experiencing the French culture in its close proximity.

When you are spending more time, consider the house-sitting or home exchange options. There are numerous sites that permit tourists to rent-free in exchange for taking care of a house or a pet. This is especially well received in rural areas such as the Dordogne or Normandy, where one can experience bed and breakfast in a rural setting that looks directly off the postcard.

To be comfortable and yet cheap, nowadays in cities such as Paris or Nice there are boutique hostels that sell not only trendy private rooms, but also have an atmosphere of an elegant hotel, but at a significantly lower price.

4. Take Advantage of Free Attractions

France is a museum in itself and not everything it contains requires an admission fee. There are numerous experiences in the country that are most beautiful and are absolutely free.

In Paris, you are able to walk in Jardin du Luxembourg, appreciate Notre-Dame Cathedral, or see artists paint in Place du Tertre, Montmartre, without spending anything. The city per se is a masterpiece to explore by foot.

This is also an added bonus: each first Sunday of each month most large museums, such as the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay or Centre Pompidou, are free. Freedays, art shows, and different kinds of open-air concerts continue to be organized in small towns and cities, particularly during the summer.

In the coastal regions, exploit beaches over resorts. And not to leave out the hiking trails in France, perhaps Calanques National Park near Marseilles, or the Alsace Wine Route, this is stunning and all free.

5. Eat Like a Local

French cuisine is one of the best joys in France, and it does not need to be rather expensive. The secret? Eat like the French.

Avoid going to tourist-packed restaurants but visit the local boulangeries (bakeries) where one can get fresh baguettes, croissants and sandwiches. Go to local markets like Marche Bastille in Paris or Marche Forville in Cannes to purchase local produce, cheese, and wine. Even a picnic by the Seine or a picnic in a country field is usually better than any 5 stars meal.

In restaurants, seek prix fixe menus – menus with 2/3 courses at a set price (EUR12-20 is usually the range of lunch). Fly with the menu du jour (daily special) and it is always fresh and cheap.

When you are staying somewhere with a kitchen, you must go and shop at one of the local French supermarkets which are actually pretty good in terms of wine, cheese and ready-made meals. When attended with good company and a scenic view, a picnic of EUR5 can be a royal feast.

6. Use City Passes and Discount Cards

City passes are time and money-saving, especially when you are planning to visit several attractions. Some of the major cities such as Paris, Lyon, and Marseille have provided tourist cards, which combine entry and travel to the museum in one convenient package to ensure that they receive discounts.

As an illustration, the Paris Pass will allow one to access over 60 attractions such as the Louvre, Versailles, and a cruise on the river Seine and infinite rides on the metro and the bus. It is best fitted to those who sightsee and intend on seeing a number of attractions within a short period.

Equally, the Lyon City Card and Marseille Pass is a good bargain in museums, rivers and transportation. These passes are fast to recoup even when traveling on a tight schedule.

Final Thoughts

French vacation does not necessarily mean luxury and expensive champagne. The magic of France is its daily beauty, its pavement streets, the aroma of bread, the gossip in a neighborhood cafe and the art that pervades the smallest villages.

Nobody should visit France without exploring it deeply, authentically and inexpensively with clever decisions and inquisitiveness. Take a walk, do not drive, dine where people dine, go in off-season, and experience rather than indulge.

In France, it is the intensity with which you experience every moment that makes you luxurious, rather than how much you pay.