Life hacking for those who are going on a trip to France

Season

In France, the high summer season lasts roughly from the second week of July and the end of August. This time, the children's vacations and holidays 95% of the population. Prices for accommodation and tickets soar. At prestigious resorts - the crowd. It is better to travel at another time.

hotels

If you have a car, the best ratio of price and quality will be at a small village located next to the city or resort. Especially pay attention to the small towns with the name ending in "sur-Mer» (sur-Mer), which means "sea". We stayed in Basse-sur-Mer to visit the hyped Le Croisic and La Baule, but also the place we liked: the old church, the manor of the XIX century, salt marshes and a small beach.

Most decent midrange hotels have only three stars. Four - the business class, five stars - something extremely rare and breathtaking. Two stars from three different only by the lack of restaurant on site, and any other frills.

Repeatedly tested: in most hotels do not refuse if you ask to use office refrigerator or leave the bags for storage after check-out.

You can spend the night in a private castle. If such a lock away from several tourist attractions, the night there will not be more expensive, and maybe even cheaper than a standard hotel. Sometimes hosts offer homemade breakfast or even dinner. Agree! Locks can be found on the Booking on Château word. We found a suitable lock - look for his site, compare price.

Transport

Cekonomit to travel within the country to help train loukosterov OUIGO. Paying 10 euros, you have three hours you reach from Paris to Lyon and from there for the same money to Marseille. Tickets have to be bought in advance. departure and arrival is not the most convenient. There are restrictions on luggage.

Tickets for public transport and intercity buses worth 1.5 to 2.5 euros. Buy 10 tickets at once, it is profitable. For example, travel from my town Fresnay-sur-Sarthe to Le Mans is worth 2.2 euros (relative to the budget for the trip per hour). Buy a ticket for 10 trips can be just 17 euros.

In most localities, particularly tourism, have dedicated bike lanes. Even in their absence, travel to France on bike - a pleasure. Bicycles can be rented in any coastal (and only) town and often at the hotel. For information on bicycle rental accurately prompt tourism bureau.

Finally, the car. Free parking in the historic center of the city is unlikely to succeed. The cost of underground paid parking - from 1 to 3 euros per hour. In Paris, definitely choose public transport or bicycle. Parisians do so.

Food

Breakfast is usually not included in the room rate at the hotel. Price - from 6 to 20 euros. Before ordering, study reviews on Tripadvisor and Booking.

It seems that in addition to the coffee from the machine and bread with jam nothing to offer? Find the nearest bakery Boulangerie artisanale with the freshest croissants for 1 euro. Artisanale word in the title means that the dough is prepared and not heated semi-finished products.

Another idea is to find out in advance the address of the nearest market and fully have breakfast there. Cottage cheese, cheeses, sausages, ready meals, cakes and pastries will be in abundance. The markets are open from eight in the morning until noon, but do not work every day. By the way, you can have lunch there and all of the most recent.

Do not forget: the restaurant open to the public at certain times. Lunch from 12:00 to 14:00, dinner from 19:00.

The restaurants, cafes and bistros, like the real Frenchmen, take «formula» (la formule) or "menu» (le menu). This starter, main course and dessert or only two of three (entrée necessarily present). For each category, offering a choice of several meals. Even in expensive restaurants with a formula you can sample fine French cuisine at a fairly budget price to 20 euros. Drinks are not included in the formula. Please note that this offer is often not valid on weekends and public holidays, and sometimes even a Friday night.

By law you are entitled to a free carafe of water in a restaurant (and not one). Ask. The water will be from the tap, but the drink exactly as possible.

A cup of espresso will cost about 1.5 euros. Coffee with milk - for 2 euros. But tea is from 2.5 to 3 euros. Make no mistake, is a common, bags. With hot drink in respecting a small café serves chocolate or biscuit.

spectacle

First of all go to the tourism office. Get a free map of the city with the routes and see ads on current events and holidays. France regularly, especially in summer, festivals, concerts, flea markets, and organized tournaments. In June, will get to the music festival in July - on summer holiday. And, of course, July 14 - Bastille Day with an evening fireworks! Free tours happen on certain days, however, the French.

In many well-known museums of France free admission on the first Sunday of the month. The Louvre is the offer is valid from October to March. Plan your trip at the appropriate time. What days can visit the museum free of charge - you can learn on that website. Consider the queue. The Louvre has several entrances, it is better not to go to the pyramid in those days.

In Paris, as in other capital cities, there free sightseeing walking tours. Language - English and French. Though tours and free, but a tip is assumed still to give. Usually leave 5 euros. In my experience, the guides on these tours just wizards. Because their income depends on eloquence.

If you move in the course of traveling from one point to the next, do not be lazy to look, where else can you call in on the way. To do this, perfectly suited the French ratings attractions:

• The city's cultural and historical heritage.
• The most beautiful villages of France.
• Towns with a special charm.
• Most green city in France.

I wish to use the time in France, to the maximum, and without prejudice to the budget!