France: Budget Travel Guide

From small family-run hotels to international hotel chains, France’s hotel scene has something for every type of traveler. At EuroCheapo, our goal is to help our readers find the best cheap hotels in France, from independent hotels to B&Bs, pensions, country inns and surprise-free French budget hotel chains. Before you hit “book” and reserve your » Read more

Your dream trip to France is finally here. You’ve gotten your airline tickets booked, your hotel sorted out, and made a list of all the fun places you want to visit in Paris. But don’t forget to take care of the little details — like your cell phone plan! Figuring out how to navigate SIM » Read more

The South of France, rich with culture and defined by beautiful beaches, isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a budget vacation. The French Riviera (or Côte d’Azur), including the gorgeous city of Nice, is notoriously expensive, but luckily, there are still plenty of accommodation options for Cheapos. We’ve combed » Read more

While arguably the most recognized monument in the world, the Eiffel Tower hardly survived the 1889 World’s Fair. Few tourists today realize that, as the tower was constructed for the event, the city planned to tear down the tower in the days following the fair. Good thing that they never got around to it, because » Read more

Getting around Paris with the Metro is quite easy — and cheap too! However, for those times when you might want to take in the Parisian scenery above ground or just avoid the Metro stairs and crowds, then you might want to use a ridesharing app like Uber. We’ve taken rides with Uber around the » Read more

In the summer of 2021, France, along with most other European countries, reopened its borders to American visitors — with a few caveats about who can enter, who needs to quarantine, and what you’ll need to do in order to move about freely. I spent most of August 2021 traveling in France with my family, » Read more

Wine tasting can be an expensive habit, no less a luxurious affair; however, seeing that wine is one of the three main symbols of la table française, wine tasting in France is very accessible — and thus can be very affordable. You’ll notice very quickly once you arrive how the French café culture and wine » Read more

If you’re anything like us, then you love the taste (and price!) of wine when you’re traveling in Europe. And it doesn’t get more French than sipping wine or Champagne on a café terrace anywhere in France or buying a bottle from your favorite wine shop in Paris. For those who want to learn a little » Read more

France is one of the world’s most visited destinations for a reason. From the dreamy cultural capital of Paris to the glitz and glam of the sun-soaked Cote d’Azur, France ticks off every box. History and culture? Food and wine? Natural beauty? Art and architecture? More wine? Check, check and check. While it’s tempting to » Read more

Looking for a dramatic destination for your trip to France? It’s hard to beat Le Mont-Saint-Michel, an 8th-century abbey perched on a rocky island in Normandy. This pilgrimage site is where access was once dictated by the rise and fall of the English Channel’s tide. Today, a modern bridge and free buses shuttle visitors across » Read more

After commemorating the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings earlier this year, the Beaches of Normandy continue to welcome tourists to remember the battles that turned the tide in World War II. Beautiful landscapes, intense history, and a sobering dose of the realities of war all blend to make a worthwhile trip away from the » Read more

Oh, Marseille. How can you not fall in love with a city where the sea salty breeze takes over as you peruse the historic port, the bountiful museums, the charming old buildings and the seemingly endless delicious eateries? And once you see just how affordable it is to visit this city, you might never leave! » Read more

Planning a trip to France? The country is wildly popular with tourists, and for good reason — it abounds with experiences for every kind of tourist: high culture, iconic sightseeing, famous shopping, and some of the world’s most popular culinary and drinking establishments. What’s not to love? Well, the bill, for one thing. All those world-class » Read more

Often called the gastronomical capital of France and the birthplace of cinema, Lyon is a dream destination for those who love food, wine, medieval- and Renaissance-era architecture, art and, of course, cinema. Luckily for our fellow Cheapos, all of this excitement can be enjoyed affordably, because there are plenty of cheap hotels in Lyon to » Read more

Bordeaux, France might sound like a fancy destination to the unacquainted, but it’s actually quite affordable if you plan it right. With our budget guide to Bordeaux in hand, you can save on everything from restaurants to attractions. But what about hotels? Of course, wine is the most famous calling card of this port city » Read more

Even for those who have yet to step foot on French soil, Provence is a name familiar to many — whether it is the vision of billowing lavender fields, the illustrious work of Vincent Van Gogh, the eponymous wine appellations, and of course, the sapphire shorelines of Mediterranean bliss. Some call Provence the quintessence of » Read more

Dubbed “The Heart of Provence,” Avignon is a charming city with a vibrant culture and a long, rich history. In addition to visiting the famous historic sites like the Palace of Popes and the Saint Bénezet Bridge, you’ll find artistic masterpieces in the Angladon Museum, delicious produce at the local markets, and perhaps best of » Read more

Today is being called “Black Tuesday” here in France, the first day of three months of scheduled train strikes. The strikes, or “grèves”, have already caused chaotic scenes in train stations around the country, as commuters, intercity travelers and tourists grapple with how to get to their destinations. The train strikes, however, have at least » Read more

Located 22 miles from Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion is an excellent destination for true oenophiles. This charming medieval village has plenty of wine shops to sample the famous vintages of Bordeaux and easy access to local vineyards. Despite the wine region’s expensive reputation, there are several ways Cheapos can visit Saint-Émilion without emptying their bank account. Related: Visiting » Read more

It goes without saying that France boasts some of the most diverse and picturesque provinces of Europe. Between the beauty and vibrancy of Paris, the impressive chateaus of the Loire Valley, the sunny beaches nestled along Nice and Côte d’Azur, or the charming wine villages of Bordeaux, the French seem to have it all. (And » Read more

While most travelers might pop into Marseille for a quick stop on their way to Nice or Aix-en-Provence, Cheapos should really make a point to spend some time in this bustling port city. If you don’t mind a little grit with your beauty, you’ll instantly fall for Marseille. Nestled right in the heart of the famous French » Read more

Congrats on making your way to Paris! Now that you’re here and settled in your hotel, it’s time to take part in one of the city’s favorite pastimes — eating. And there’s no need to empty your wallet trying to dine like Louis XVI. Parisians have mastered the art of exploring their city’s cuisine without » Read more

Nestled between Paris, London, and Brussels, Lille is a small city not to be overlooked. Between its irrefutable charm, both culturally and architecturally, its vibrant student life, and budding international arts and tech scene, there are plenty of reasons why you may fall in love with this northern slice of France. It is the capital » Read more

If Bordeaux holds the title for the capital of wine, then Lille — and the rest of the north — is without a doubt France’s capital of beer! This may not be a surprise knowing that Lille brushes shoulders with Belgium, one of the beer meccas of the world, however, northern France has a long-running » Read more

Maybe you passed high school or even college French, but speaking like the locals is something quite different from what we learn in the books. I don’t pretend to speak like I was born here, but I generally get by sans problème. We’ve talked about phrases that will save you money in Paris, but there » Read more