France Travel Tips

A beautiful Bridge in France
Wine, Cheese, the Eiffel Tower, snooty waiters- France is famous for a lot of things. It’s one of my favorite countries in the world. It’s beautiful, has great food, great wine, history, and a great atmosphere. There’s nothing like a picnic along the Seine or a day through the French countryside. France is everything that people make it out to be and then some. France has been populated since Roman times and it’s long history lends itself to beautiful ruins, castles, architecture, and culture. Traveling France is a very expensive affair, second only to travel through Italy. Everything here is expensive and those on a super tight budget will find it hard to experience everything France has to offer. Make sure you go to France with a few extra Euro in your pocket so you can soak in all the food, wine, and beauty you see.

Typical Costs in France

  • Accommodation: Dorms rooms will cost about 20-30 Euros per night, with rooms in Paris being the most expensive. Private rooms in hostels will cost 70 Euros or more. Budget hotels begin in at a similar price range.
  • Food: Eating in France can be either cheap or expensive. Buying your own food can be very cheap. There are many bread, cheese, and meat shops around. It’s common to pick up some ingredients and have a picnic in one of France’s many parks or gardens. Moreover, eating a pre-made sandwich from these places will cost about 4-5 Euros. Eating at a restaurant will cost 20-30 Euros, including a glass of wine. If you shop for all your food, you can expect to spend around 40-50 Euros on groceries.
  • Transportation: The best way to get around France is via the trains. Overnight trains cost the least while the fast TGV lines cost the most. City transit systems cost around 1-1.5 Euro per trip. A typical TGV train can cost around 80 Euros.
  • Activities: Wine tours cost around 50 euros per day and most attractions and museums cost around 20 Euros for an entrance fee.

Money Saving Tips for France

  • Have a Picnic. Eating out in France, especially in Paris, is an expensive affair. You’ll find restaurants can break a days budget but there’s nothing more french than a picnic. Head to the local market, buy some wonderful cheese, bread, fruits, and meats and have a picnic and watch people go by. You can have a great meal for less than 10 Euros.
  • Take the Train. Train travel in Europe is really cheap and it’s the easiest way to get around France. The TGV line (high speed train) can be expensive but if you get the slow train or have a Eurail pass, you’ll save money.
  • Drink Before You Dance. Drinking in France can be an expensive activity. Drink cheap wine before you go out and save on drinks a the bar. A good bottle costs only a few Euros.
  • Skip the Clubs. Clubs in France are expensive and charge an entrance fee around 20 Euros. Drinks cost 10 or more Euros. If you don’t want to spend a 100 Euro in one night, then skip the clubs.
  • Couchsurf. Like everything else in France, accommodation is expensive. Even a cheap dorm room, can cost over 20 Euros a night. The best way to save money is to stay with locals via the service Couchsurfing. The service connects locals with travelers who need a place to stay.

Top Things to See in France

  • Paris. Paris has everything- the Louvre, impressionist museums, the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, parks, clubs, culture, and great food. This list goes on. Spend lots of time in Paris. It takes awhile to fully explore. It’s as magical as people say and, while it would take a lifetime to really see it all, four or five days gives you a good idea.
  • The D-Day beaches, Normandy. Learn about the WWII Allied forces’ D-Day landings along the beaches of northern France. There are some great memorials and museums detailing the history of the event. You can still see some of the old bunkers and fortifications.
  • The Palace of Versailles. Located very close to Paris, the old palace of the French kings makes for a great day trip. Built by Louis the 14th, this palace was constructed during the height of French power and seeks to show off the tremendous wealth of Louis. It’s as awe inspiring today as it was back then.
  • Explore the Loire Valley. The Loire is one of the loveliest places in the world with with tons of vineyards and chateaus. The Loire Valley has some of the best wine in the world, beautiful small towns, and great food. It’s an area not to be missed.
  • Drink Wine in Bordeaux. Some of the best wine in the world is made here. It’s an expensive destination and not for someone on a tight budget but it’s beautiful and worth all the Euro you will spend! Bordeaux has one of the longest shopping streets in Europe, amazing seafood (eat at Le Petit Commerce), is close to the ocean, and there is of course the wine. It’s a magnificent place to upscale your backpacking trip. Next to Paris, it’s my favorite place in France.
  • Hang Out in Nice. They say Nice is nice but you’ll have to find out exactly how nice it is on your own. This seaside town in the south is a popular destination for budget travelers wanting to soak up some sun.
  • Explore History in Lyon. The area around Lyon has wonderful castles and small villages. It’s great for those looking to explore the French countryside.
  • Discover the High Life in Marseilles. The old port is home to tiny streets, beautiful buildings, and gigantic modern yachts. Hang out with the well heeled of society who flock to the Cote D Azur during the summer.
  • Relax on the islands. If life in Marseilles is too mundane for you, catch a boat out to St. Tropez and relax in beautiful hillside towns, swim in azure blue water, and bump shoulders with the rich and famous.

Destination Guides for France
Bordeaux
Marseilles
Nice
Paris