France:
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France was a painful lesson in more ways than one. Too expensive to travel extensively, I ended up camping. I tore my calf muscle while climbing a hill and lost all my Paris photos through a bad memory card. I also found the French nicer abroad than in their home country.
Some memorable places I have been
Paris: The capital and allegedly the most romantic city in the world. It certainly is a very European city
Arc de Triomphe: Watch out for the traffic,
Notre Dame Cathedral: A lot smaller than you think.
Versailles: If you like this sort of thing, go early
Mona Lisa: Shame to miss it.
Grand Arche de la Defense: Very big, very white.
Eiffel Tower: Worth to say you've been there, expensive to use.
Moulin Rouge : Don't miss this area of Paris, its quite different from the rest.
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South Coast: During my journey I met some friends and we rented a car for this part of the Journey. The South coast from Spain is expensive so we bought tents for 12 Euro and camped.
Ways into France (link to top)
Eurolines have direct connections all over France. Coming from Spain on a Eurolines bus, it was stopped during the middle of the night and all passports checked. A chinese man was taken away, and did not some back. Along the south coast the old border on the road is long since closed and there was no border checks at all.
The Food (link to top)
The average backpackers meal will suffer here. Bread and cheese rule as does fast food. Open markets in rural areas help, as do supermarkets. In Paris street Crepe's are great. If you splurge then you are really in for a treat.Try the small cafes in Moulin Rouge for cheap but great cafe's. Not to be cliched, but frogs legs and chocolate gateau are worth the price.
The People (link to top)
I will be the first to admit that I always found the French arrogant, know it all self opinionated people. In Paris and especially the south coast the rich are especially arrogant and egotistical. Having said that. Get out into the country, or the markets and find the real French. Polite, friendly and happy to help. In my travels I have met some nice french people that are slowly changing my mind about them as a general rule.
The Language (link to top)
French is possible. But at your own mercy in Paris. I tried and had a French man tell me I was terrible at it. He was of course correct, but he could have been nicer. His English was unfortunately very good. In the countryside they are more relaxed, but you do need to try.
Do's & Do not's (link to top)
Don't get into an argument unless you are fluent in French. Do eat a variety of food. Don't feel obliged to Climb the Eiffel tower, it's a rip off. Do walk the back streets for Paris. Do not camp outside of a camping zone in the south coast, the police will come. Do back up your photo's of a place like Paris, it's a bit expense to do it all again.
Places I stayed (link to top)
I did not travel much of France, but found it more expensive than Spain for accommodation. Paris was seriously over priced for a hostel.
Paris - Moulin Rouge: I cheated here and went for a 2 star hotel. It was 3 Euro more than a hostel but with an all you can eat breakfast.
Camping along the south coast: It cost around 12 Euro for a campsite in most places. This included a shower area. Most also offered rooms for around 20 Euro.
Note:If I were to return to France I would look up CouchSurfers or the like to help with both the cost of accommodation and getting to know france more.
Potential for home? (link to top)
The strangest thing here is that aside from not communicating well with anyone. I could see why one could like living in Paris. But it would take a big commitment from me to do this, and I don't have it. Neither do I have he money to make the move to this expensive city.
FAQ's (link to top)
How much is a daily budget?
I was surprised at just how expensive France was. Paris was deadly to the budget, and with out a car the south coast would have been impossible. 20-25 Euro for a hostel and 15 Euro for food make France top my list at 40 Euro a day. Camping can knock of 5-10 Euro once you take car rental into consideration.
How to rent a cheap car?
Go to Spain. Well if you are on the border anyway. Otherwise look on the internet for cheap mid week deals, and rent the days from there. Weekend rental is expensive. Take photos of all four sides of the car before and after you use it.
How to get to/from the airport to the city?
Charles de Gaulle International Airport is about 1.5 hours in traffic from the center. Usually more. The rail network is better, but often full. You need to get to this airport a head of time.
Money in France, what to do?
International Credit cards like VISA or Mastercard work everywhere as do most debit cards.
Please keep in mind all the above is based on my own personal experience in France. It's not intended to be a guide. If the information here can help you on your own travels then that's a good thing!
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