France – A country that enjoys the finer things in life

France is hugely popular for tourists and travellers worldwide. Once there, it is very easy to see why. There is a misconception that the people are rude. I found them to be relaxed and to take life at their own pace. The food is world renowned and the culture is something that you may find yourself craving once you have left. People rave about France and it is everything you expect it to be. It really is a country that has everything in the extreme and I don’t say that lightly. France is quite possibly the most budget unfriendly country in Europe. It is, however, a case of “you get what you pay for”. This France Travel Guide will hopefully help you to plan your journey there and save you some money in the process.

Weather

The majority of France gets mild summers and cooler winters. July tends to be the hottest month with an average temperature of 20°C. The coldest month on average is January with temperatures of 5°C. Temperatures do differ along the Mediterranean. There they get mild winters and considerably hotter summers.

Visa Policy

France is a country in the Schengen area. EU citizens have freedom of movement in and out of Belgium, meaning they can go when they want and stay for as long as they want. US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens along with a large amount of South Americans have visa-free access into the Schengen states for stays of up to 90 days. Most other nationalities require their citizen to go through the formal visa application to obtain their Schengen area visa. For more information, click here.

Things To See and Do in France

Paris

The top of many travellers bucket lists and voted TripAdvisor #1 City for 2018, Paris is breathtaking. You don’t need to come here and climb the Eiffel Tower or visit the Louvre to get a real appreciation for this city. Why not try just coming here, slowing down, eat and drink and quite simply relax. The famous sights of Paris are hard to miss, so you don’t really have to make an effort to go to them. The Eiffel Tower will just keep showing up in your eye line, even when you’re not expecting it. The Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe are very central and you will end up there at some point, even if it’s by accident.

Visit the markets, grab some bread, cheese and wine. Then have a picnic in one of the lush green areas in the city. Or find a nice cafe, sit outside and just let the world pass you by. Montmartre is a great area to stroll through and be taken back to 1920’s Paris. The Latin Area and its winding streets are a great place to get lost. So make that trip to Paris, it really does live up to the hype. Don’t rush, and don’t turn seeing every sight you can into your one and only goal. You are sure to fall in love with Paris, like me and so many others.

Marseille

Anthony Bourdain said, “a great city with great food and great views, sitting right on the edge of the blue Mediterranean, surrounded by freakin’ Provence. It’s got it all.” Marseille is an incredible port city on the south coast. Marseille is described by some as ‘not French’ due to the large mix of Arabs, North Africans, Corsicans and Italians that call this city home. I felt it was this melting pot of cultures that produced something fantastic. It can be dirty, and a little rough, but this is all part of Marseille’s charm. Wander the streets and marvel at the architecture. Take a boat to Chateau d’If, an island fortress and former prison that was the inspiration for Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo. The view of Marseille is unbeatable. Next time you are thinking of visiting France, give Marseille the chance it deserves to blow you away.

Nice

The capital of Cote D’Azur is a popular destination for holidaymakers who want to soak up some of the French Riviera sun, but whose budget doesn’t stretch as far as Monaco or Cannes. A very convenient location to explore the surrounding areas and also, the better beaches than the one in Nice. Sardinia and Corsica are nearby and can be good day trips. The colourful side streets of Nice are great to wander through and explore. They can also be a good place to find the best quality of food. All in all, Nice is a really nice summer destination, with plenty to see and do in the city and in the rest of Cote D’Azur. It may still cost you a pretty penny, but can be classed as budget friendly compared to the nearby cities.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is high end, luxury travel. It is very difficult to see this city on a tight budget, but it is a city worth stretching the purse strings for. Surrounded by vineyards, the wine made in Bordeaux is among the best in the world. The seafood here is so tasty and fresh. This pairing leads to a great temptation to spend more than planned on every meal. Lunch or dinner here can seem like an attraction in itself. With one of the longest shopping streets in Europe, plenty of little alleyways and cobblestone streets to explore, Bordeaux is very easy to enjoy. If you really want to make Bordeaux budget friendly, go ahead and drink cheap wine and eat store-bought food, but you will leave having missed out on what makes Bordeaux so special.

Lyon

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Lyon is like going back in time. The area surrounding Lyon is full of small villages and fantastic castles. The architecture is beautiful and the city is full of small cafés and shops. Walking aimlessly is something I recommend for Lyon. The city has beauty on offer around every corner so you do not need to seek it out, as just being there will give the city the chance to show you all it has. Often wrongly overlooked, Lyon is stunning and should be high up on everyone’s France itinerary.

Carcassonne

Located in France’s Languedoc Area, the hilltop medieval town of Carcassonne is famous for its citadel, La Cité. The walled city has many interesting alleys to explore and get lost in. The town offers a lot of fantastic history and is a great place to spend a few days away from the cities of France.

What To Eat in France

Cheese

To go to France and not eat as much cheese as you can is a sin. The French have really mastered the art of cheese making so any trip there is an opportunity to stuff your face with it. Whether it is Brie, Emmental or one of the many others, don’t waste your chance.

Bread

France is famous for its bread and pastries. It is rare for visitors to go a full day without eating it with at least one meal. Baguettes are common practice throughout the day. Then there is the sweeter stuff. Pain Au Chocolat and Croissants are cheap snacks to eat on the go. You won’t find them better anywhere else in the world. Most streets in France have at least one bakery so you won’t be short of options.

Escargot

Don’t fret but Escargots are cooked land snails. They are a delicacy in France. They are usually cooked with a large amount of garlic butter. Cooked snails might not sound the nicest but unless you have tried them, you can’t say that. Escargots are a culinary treat when you are in France.

Bouillabaisse

This is a traditional fish stew that originates from Provence. The stew is flavoured with garlic, onions, tomatoes, saffron and thyme. Then the main flavour comes from the fish. A good bouillabaisse will have many different types of fish and shellfish. Be sure to try this when you are down in Marseille, but be careful where you try it. A bad bouillabaisse with fish that is not fresh can be vile. I had a bad experience with this the first time I tried the dish.

Macarons

These are meringue-based confections made from egg whites, icing and granulated sugars, almond powder and then food colouring. They come in all different flavours, from chocolate to caramel to rose flower. You will find macaron shops all over France and trying them whilst there is a must. They can be found outside of France but they tend to be a lot fresher and tastier there.

Crêpe

Sweet crêpes can be found in many tourist areas, especially around Paris. They are to France, what waffles are to Belgium but my favourite is the Savory Crêpe. Buckwheat Crêpes are filled with all different kinds of ingredients. Commonly found fillings are ham, cheese, eggs and onions but these days crêperies have a much bigger selection.

Cassoulet

This is a slow cooked traditional casserole containing meat (commonly pork sausage), pork skin and white beans. This is a very wholesome meal that you can find all over France. It signifies home cooking in the country.

Beef Bourguignon

This is a typical French stew. The beef is braised in a mixture of beef stock and red wine. Vegetables, commonly carrots, potatoes, onions and mushrooms are added and then the taste is completed with some fresh herbs. This is a very French spin on what is a commonly found dish in many countries.

Coq Au Vin

A braised chicken casserole cooked with red wine. The traditional wine to use when making this is a red burgundy but many regions tailor the recipe to use a local flavour. It is a very traditional French dish and you will find it in most brasseries across the country.

Steak Tartare

Made from raw ground beef, steak tartare is another dish that people tend to turn their nose up at. A good restaurant will serve onion, capers, pepper and Worcestershire sauce on the side to be added by the diner depending on their taste. Raw egg yolk is then usually served on top.

Croque Monsieur

This is essentially a toasted ham and cheese sandwich taken to another level. Fresh boiled ham and cheese are placed inside fresh white bread. Then cheese and bechamel sauce is placed on top before the sandwich is either baked or fried. This is my go to lunch when in France.

French Onion Soup

This ancient soup is made with stock and onions. A large piece of bread covered in cheese is placed on top and broiled. It might not smell the best but French onion soup is delicious and is a favourite starter for locals and tourists throughout the country.

Helpful Phrases

Hello = Bonjour (bon-zhour)

Goodbye = Au revoir (oh-reu-vwar)

Thank you = Merci (Mair-see)

Please = S’il vous plait (See-voo-play)

I don’t understand = Je ne comprends pas (zheu neu kompron par)

I don’t speak French = Je ne parle pas français  (zheu neu parl par fron-say)

Do you have ..? = Avez-vous…? (Avay-voo)

How much is it? = Combien ça coûte? (kom-bjanne sar coot)

We want to go to … = Nous voulons aller à…. (noo voolon allay are…)

The train station = La Gare (lar gar)

Typical Costs in France

Accommodation

Prices in France vary massively depending on what part of the country you are in. You can get a more than decent hostel in Paris for €25, Yet in Marseille, you can get a room for just less than half of that. Private rooms start from €60 around the country.

Food

Again prices vary hugely. A sit-down meal will cost you at least €25 in a standard Parisien restaurant. You can pick up sandwiches in delicatessens for less than €5. Another option is going to the market and buying your own fresh ingredients.

Transport

Train travel in France is expensive. If you leave it until the last day prices can skyrocket, so plan ahead and book in advance. This can save you a lot of money. A train from Paris to Nice can cost €25 if you plan ahead but over €150 if you leave it too late to book. Flixbus is another option. They are slower than the train but considerably cheaper. I suggest checking their routes before booking anything.

How To Save Money in France

Wine

Wine in France is very cheap and can be found in shops and supermarkets for as little as €3 a bottle. It might not always be the best tasting, but there are some nice ones. A bottle of wine over a picnic lunch on a hot summers day is my idea of French paradise.

Picnic

France is full of great food, but it can also be expensive. So why not get some bread, some cheese and some meat, maybe a pastry or two and find yourself a nice patch of grass. Enjoy the weather and take time to enjoy the great food on offer all while you are saving yourself some money.

Car-Share

France, like many European countries, offers great car-share options. Websites such as BlaBlaCar are great for grabbing a lift in between cities at a great price. The concept is simple. Someone who is doing the journey anyway, sells the spare seats in their car, possibly in order to help with gas money. Sometimes it is just for some company.

Avoid Bars

Bars in France, especially Paris, can be expensive. Paying prices like €7.50 for a beer means that even a quiet night out can pose a massive threat to your budget. Drinking before you go out is a good idea, as beer and wine are cheap in shops. This will also lead to less time in bars, or at least if you do go out you will not be drinking as much.

Under 26

Prices in France tend to be cheaper if you are under 26. Transport is cheaper and attraction entrance fees are reduced or free. You will be asked for proof of age. If you are under 26, make sure you are aware of what reductions you can get and make good use of it.

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