Wine, cheese, the Eiffel Tower, snooty waiters – France is famous for a lot of things, and it happens to be one of my favorite countries in the world. It’s beautiful, has great food, delicious wine, storied history, and a carefree atmosphere. There’s nothing like a picnic along the Seine or a day through the French countryside to make life seem beautiful. France is everything that people make it out to be and then some. Its long history lends itself to beautiful ruins, castles, architecture, and culture. Traveling France is a very expensive affair, second only to traveling through Italy in mainland Europe. Those on a super tight budget will find it hard (but not impossible thanks to three Euro bottles of wine) to experience everything France has to offer. Make sure you go to France with a few extra Euros in your pocket so you can soak in all the food, wine, and beauty you see (though this guide will help you cut costs!)
Typical Costs
Accommodation – Dorm rooms will range from 15-40 EUR per night, depending on where you’re staying in the country, with Paris being on the higher end. Private rooms in hostels will cost around 75 EUR or more. Budget hotels begin around 60 EUR per night for a double room. Accommodations are cheaper outside Paris, Bordeaux, and the French Riviera. Also look into renting rooms or apartments. In an expensive city like Paris, this will be the best value.
Food – Buying your own food in France can be very cheap. There are many bread, cheese, and meat shops around. The market is your friend! It’s common to pick up some ingredients and have a picnic. You can make your own lunch for around 10 EUR for two people including wine if you’re savvy. Pre-made sandwiches at cheap local shops will cost about 4-7 EUR. Conversely, eating at a restaurant will cost between 20-35 EUR for a meal including a glass of wine. If you shop for all your food, you can expect to spend around 45-65 EUR for a week’s worth of groceries.
Activities – Wine tours will be your priciest activity at around 90 EUR per day. Most attractions and museum entrance fees cost between 9-20 EUR.