With the following tips you can enjoy an inexpensive and comfortable holiday in France.
The cost of living in France is generally low as compared to northern European countries, unless you choose a luxurious hotel and gourmet restaurants. If you holiday more modestly you will see much more of the “real” France, and will enjoy the many simple pleasures that France has to offer.
The French holiday season is very centred around “Les Grandes Vacances” of July and August when prices rocket. At other times you may find many smaller tourist sites closed or with restricted opening hours. However many sites are open during June and September, and accommodation is often considerably cheaper during these months.
Dining on a budget
If you wish to economise your euros during your stay I recommend trying your nearest restaurant offering a “menu” of starter, main course and cheese or dessert for around 10 or 12 euros. Don’t be put off by a scruffy exterior; if you visit more than a couple of times you will be greeted as a regular and you can be sure that the food will be excellent, even if the choice is limited. Excellent, that is, unless you are unlucky and the choice is restricted one of the rare unappetising French specialities such as “tête de veau” (the stomach turning, rubbery “calf’s head”) or Andouille sausages (made of the entire pig digestive system). Just check the menu outside, small dictionary in hand, before entering. Ask for “un pichet” of wine (often around five euros for half a litre or around three euros for a quarter of a litre) and “une carafe d’eau” (tap water). There is no shame in doing this; look around you, the locals will be doing the same.
For picnic lunches and self-catering meals, nothing beats a visit to the local market. Avoid summer markets targeted at tourists, aim instead for traditional markets where a wonderful array of fresh produce will be on offer, including local fruits, vegetables, cheeses and prepared dishes.
Good value accommodation
A gite (cottage) rental in France offers good value self catering accommodation.
During your journey to and from your gite you many enjoy staying in a Chambre d’Hôtes or Bed and Breakfast, also available from Gites de France. These are also excellent value, from around 30 euros (£20) for a double room including breakfast for two people. Evening meals are often available for a reasonable price.
Wine on a budget
To prolong the pleasures of the low cost of living in France, avoid the large supermarkets when stocking up on booze on the way home. Head instead for the discount supermarkets such as Lidl and Aldi, or the wonderfully named French discount chain “Le Mutant”, as they offer wines and spirits at even lower prices. Your best bet is to try plenty of supermarket wines during your holiday before buying in bulk on your way home.
