Holidays and Accommodation in France
My last holidays in France took place several months ago, when we borrowed a friend’s house for a long 4-day weekend. I can tell you it was quite relaxing and the weather did not disappoint us. I even got my first sunburn and it had been a long time since I last had one! To be honest, I don’t even think I got one during my last trip around the world! But well, that time, I hadn’t taken the precaution of protecting myself with sunscreen.
Going on holiday in France is probably the least expensive option, especially if you know exactly where you are going and how much it will cost you. In this article, I will present different possible accommodation options in France.
Cheap Holidays in France
Several options are available to you for cheap holidays:
- Taking the train: if you book your ticket in advance, they will cost you less than 100 euros. With the 12-25 or 12-30 discount cards, you can indeed benefit from very reasonable prices.
- Taking the bus: it is a less common and slower option, but it can cost you a bit less than the train. It is possible to find Paris-Lyon tickets for less than 20 euros for example: by train this route would cost you twice as much. The only drawback: the bus journey is twice as slow :D. However, it is not yet the cheapest solution. Sometimes, the price difference between a train or bus trip is not significant. Worth comparing.
- Taking the plane: it is the fastest and most practical solution. If you live in a capital or a metropolis, favor low-cost airlines among which you will find the cheapest tickets. However, the destinations are rather limited. I would then reserve this option more for traveling to neighboring countries or within Europe.
- Taking the car: the preferred means of transport for families, as it is practical and economical, especially if you are more than two traveling. Otherwise, I recommend carpooling which is increasingly developing in these times of crisis.
For travel in Europe find transport solutions here.
Cheap Accommodation in France
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- Apartment rental: the easiest remains the peer-to-peer service, I remember doing it one summer to go to the south of France. Otherwise, there are platforms that allow you to easily rent from a private individual.
- Free accommodation, Couchsurfing can be a way to get free lodging. Otherwise, there are home exchange sites.
- Cheap hotels: this is not a solution I recommend nor would try, but it can be useful for travelers who do not like holiday clubs and campgrounds.
- Holiday clubs: it’s a good deal if you are with family and have a works council that covers part of your expenses :D. You don’t have to worry about cooking and there is a wide range of activities to do. In the evening, there are often entertainment options for children as well.
- Camping: this is the solution I would recommend. Don’t hesitate to check online reviews to avoid unpleasant surprises. I took this approach when I camped in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, five years ago. It was an unforgettable memory: the friendly spirit was present, and the people I met have become friends whom I can see again over the years.
You can find trends on accommodation in France on the INSEE website.
And you, how do you travel in France?
