France on a budget – Lonely Planet

You don’t need a wallet-busting budget to cruise the Seine, glass of champagne in hand. Plan right, be a bit savvy, and France’s wonders await, no matter your budget.

Whether you’re interested in sampling the delicious food and wine for which the country is justly famous, exploring the varied and gorgeous countryside or strolling through a bustling city or charming French village, many of France’s pleasures can be savored for cheap – or even for free. Here’s how to enjoy France on a budget.

Think beyond Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris

France’s largest airport is often the default arrival destination for visitors to France – but landing in the main hub can come at a premium. Instead, look into flights to Paris’ Orly or a regional airport. If you are headed to Provence, and without plans to pass through Paris, it might work out to book a seat on a discount carrier into, say, Marseille or Nice.

Trains and buses also crisscross France from countries throughout the EU. What’s more, train stations are usually smack in city centers, saving time and money on transfers.

Pick your season well

You will pay more to travel to France in the summer. If at all possible, aim for the shoulder and off seasons. The weather throughout France is delightful in May and September, and often in April and October, so consider a fall or spring trip. And if you’re willing to bundle up and see a different side of the France you know from movies, winter has its charms, too.

Embrace the prix fixe menu

Different from its English meaning, le menu in French is a two- or three-course meal at a fixed price. It’s by far the best value in dining – and most bistros and restaurants offer the option, usually displayed in chalk on a board. Lunch menus – generally the best value you’ll find – occasionally include a glass of wine and/or coffee; dinner menus in gastronomic restaurants sometimes pair a perfectly matched glass of wine with each course. (Just remember that “prix fixe” in French is pronounced “pree fiks.”)

Eat cheap with set lunchtime menus and plats du jour

Lunchtime formules (two courses) and menus (three courses), plus super-deal plats du jour (dish of the day) in restaurants, cost a fraction of the price of evening dining. If you have your eyes on a Michelin-star meal, plan to go midday.