You might think that France is an expensive country to holiday in and it has a reputation as such, but saving money on your holiday to France is easily achievable.
Think of holidays in France and the capital, Paris, is bound to spring to mind. Paris certainly adds to the sense of France as being an expensive holiday destination, but the City of Love and Lights can be done on a budget. The Mobilis travel pass provides one day of unlimited travel, covering the métro, RER trains and buses in zones one and two of the city. The open-top, double-decker tour buses can be expensive so why not use the city’s extensive bus network instead? The Vélib’
The Atlantic coast of France is popular with tourists and Normandy offers many sites and attractions. You can visit the beaches used by the Allies to land their forces on D-Day in 1944. The island commune Mont Saint-Michel is another Normandy’s highlight and its imposing abbey is known the world over.
The French Riviera is another popular destination with holidaymakers. The French Riviera is on the Mediterranean coastline of French, in the southeast of the country, and first became a popular tourist resort as far back as the 18th century. It has become a popular playground among the rich and famous but is popular with tourists of all categories and a charming hotel on the Riviera need not break the bank. The mix of coastline and beaches and a sunny climate ensures the popularity of the French Riviera as a holiday destination. Highlights in the area include Nice, with its lovely beachfront and elegant hotels; the Middle Corniche road, offering stunning views of the coast; and the principality of Monaco. A charming break gift pack would make for an ideal getaway in a region filled with some of the best that France has to offer.
Book your hotel well in advance of travelling to Paris and you will save on money. A good tip is to compare prices before you book – something that is easily done on the internet. Once you are on holiday, use public transport instead of privately-booked tours to get around. If possible, eat your main meal of the day at midday when many restaurant prices are cheaper. A particular pleasure of holidaying in France is the wine, and you can get it cheaper by purchasing it locally from smaller growers and avoiding the larger warehouses. Lists and producers and their locations are available from local tourist offices.
If you are a money savvy holidaymaker, France may well be the ideal destination for you. As a final tip, if children and school holidays are not a factor, the months of May, June and September are the best times for you to holiday in France, with hotel rates and other costs typically lower than at peak holiday times.