The
budget options for staying in France are quite
extensive. All large cities have numerous
options including hostels, camping grounds,
and various star hotels. Camping grounds tend
to be a little further out of town so may
hinder night time entertainment plans but
do offer substantial savings. Often they also
have bungalows, cabins or dorm style beds
so you may not need a tent. If you plan to
stay long term somewhere you maybe able to
work out an arrangement with the manager but
some places do not encourage long-term guests
and may impose a maximum stay. House-sitting
is also an option but means you have to commit
for longer periods of time. You can also join
organizations where you exchange accommodation
across the world. This means you must be prepared
to take other people in when you are at home.
Hostels
Use our online booking engine to check for
places with budget prices. If you are having
trouble finding something to suit your budget
feel free to email us at france@backpackglobe.com
You could try asking hostels where you wish
to stay a longer period of time if there is
anyway you can help out in return for a discount
on accommodation. It may be best to ring or
email ahead but meeting the manager in person
is also adviseable.
Camping
Camping can save you a lot of money on accommodation.
If you want to use recognised camp grounds
there are some helpful links below. Some travellers
have just hiked out of town (small towns are
best) in the evenings to find places to stay
but you need to make sure you are not on someone's
property, or if you are, well out of sight.
If you are on someone's property and you have
not asked to be there, then make you sure
you don't leave any rubbish behind and it
would be best to get up early in the morning
and out before they see you.
The disadvantage of not camping in official
grounds is that you do not have access to
amenities. Again some travellers report that
they make their way to water fountains in
the towns to clean up for the day or use public
bathrooms.
If you are camping you will need some of the
following items:
- a tent
- sleeping bag and ground pad
- small stove and equipment for making tea,
drinks and basic food
- basic food supplies
- wet weather gear (fly for the tent, raincoat
etc)
- pocket knife
- first aid
- torch
- toilet paper
Here are some helpful links: Eurocamp
- more than 200 campsites across Europe. Each
site is unique in it's setting and the facilities
it has on offer. Many sites also offer a choice
of accommodation - ranging from modern 6 berth
tents to a mobile home.
Camping France - facilities, rentals, sports,
leisure, prices, road access and regional
tourist information. http://www.campingfrance.com/
Camping de France : l'Annuaire complet du
camping en France - le Guide complet du camping
en france. Annuaire de recherche de camping
par : département, ville et prestations
offertes grâce http://www.campingdefrance.com/
Camping in France - selection of French campsites
for your next holiday. Only professionnal
campgrounds with high quality facilities. http://www.camping-france.com/
Travellers Tale
I camped with friends through France in the
European summer. We used to just hike out
of town during the early afternoon and set
up as the sun went down. It was a little bit
of a pain carrying all our gear around and
if we left it in left luggage during the day
the cost often was the same as if we had paid
for a hostel bed somewhere. Occassionally
we ran into farmers and got into some trouble
and we were pretty dirty not showering regularly.
In the long term I did save money and had
a different experience of France. We stayed
mostly near small towns. Obviously you can't
do something like this out of Paris. (Martie,
Australia).
House Sitting
There are house sitting opportunities in France
however most organizations cater only for
older travellers as obviously there is some
concern about what young backpackers might
do to houses. If you go through an agency
you will have to fulfil their requirements.
Here are some helpful links to get you started.
Home Stays and Exchange Holi-Swaps
Vacation Properties Program - Holi-Swaps
vacation property exchanges, rentals, travel
and tourist info, free newsletter and more.
Home Free
Trade homes with people from all over
the world
