Save Big While Living in Rural France: Uncommon Tips That Actually Work

When I first moved to France for a life in the countryside, I envisioned living my version of the TV sitcom “The Good Life” from the 1970s. And if I’m honest, it’s not that far off, only with a few more baguettes and apéros. Life here is good once you learn how to embrace it.

However, it definitely comes with its own challenges, and affordability can be one of them. How do you live the rural life without it costing you a fortune, especially in a tiny French village with nothing much around you? Well, you’re about to find out, as that’s exactly what I’ve done.

So, if you’re thinking of swapping the commute for the countryside, these tips on how to save big while living in rural France will come in handy.

Embrace Slow Living: Budget-Friendly Lifestyle Choices

Life in rural France is a dance to a slower, more intentional beat. It’s the perfect pace for stretching your euros. One of the secrets? Shifting lifestyle habits to embrace the slow living life while cutting unnecessary expenses.

Gardening is a prime example of a lifestyle shift that pays. During lockdown, I first discovered the joys of planting my own fruit and veg. Before that, I’d never had much interest in gardening. Back in the UK, I paid a gardener to do my garden for me as I was too busy to be bothered. All that changed when I moved to France.

Growing your own tomatoes, herbs, strawberries, and raspberries feels as rewarding as it sounds, and it saves money. You’d be amazed how a small plot can slash your grocery bill while boosting your well-being. I can’t describe the excitement I felt when I picked my first haul of cherry tomatoes.

Last summer, I picked tomatoes daily, and the taste was amazing. Not to mention the immense satisfaction of knowing I’d grown them myself. It’s food for the soul, and there is something rather wonderful about picking them straight off the vine and popping them into a salad. I now have chili plants, red peppers, radishes, and cucumbers. I’m having fun and saving a fortune in the process.

Live It Up Locally: Fun (and Free) Ways to Connect

Local life in the community in France is alive and well, and it’s one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the culture here. One of the first things I did when I moved here was to join my local village committee at the Marie, the equivalent of the mayor’s office, a bit like a village hall. It was one of the best things I did because hubby and I got invited to numerous events, some free, some heavily subsidised.

Now, before you start shouting at the screen, saying your French isn’t good enough to do that, let me tell you that when I did this, my French was non-existent. I could barely say more than a hesitant “Bonjour”. But I went ahead and did it anyway. No, it wasn’t easy, but I persevered and soon became an accepted part of the community.

The benefit? The French know how to put on a good event. From street parties to dinners, there is always something going on. And when I say dinners, we’re talking five-course meals with free-flowing wine for €20.

Plus, our taxes here do actually benefit you. Local activities are heavily subsidized, too. It’s great if you have kids because there are so many things your kids can do that won’t mean you need to take out a second mortgage to do them. If your kids are all grown up like mine, you benefit in different ways.

For example, I joined a local French line dancing group a few years ago. I can participate three times a week, plus two gym classes, for a grand total of €120 per year, which is nothing.

Pocket More Euros: Uncover Income Opportunities

Who says living in rural France means cutting back on income opportunities? Not at all! There’s a treasure trove of ways to earn money while soaking in the joys of countryside living. So many people I know work remotely, including me. I started this blog while living here, and it’s now my main form of income. 

With decent internet speeds, freelancing or telecommuting allows you to maintain a professional career, only with better views. But it doesn’t stop there, as there are plenty of more creative ways to make a living if you put your mind to it. 

Friends of ours live off the land and sell the produce they grow. They sell the honey from their bees, the jam they make from the fruits they’ve planted, and even make and sell their own soap. And before you ask, no, they had no experience before moving here.

If you have a flair for hosting, you could open a gite or chambres d’hôtes, introducing travelers to the idyllic lifestyle you love. Teaching English is another lucrative option. French locals value language skills and often seek native speakers for tutoring lessons. If you’re a tradie, you’ll never be short of work. My hubby reskilled when we moved here, and he now does pointing and is booked out solid.

Feast on Freshness: Shopping Smart at Local Markets

One of the pure joys of rural living in France is access to fresh, local produce. Farmers’ markets are a feast for the senses and a great way to save money. Everything here is tantalizingly fresh and often cheaper than supermarket prices. 

The French live seasonally, so if it’s not in season, you won’t find it in the shops or markets. But that’s one of the things I love about life here. You learn to cook with the seasons, making it more fun. You know you can only get asparagus in April and May, so you look forward to it more. A slight tweak in your menu based on what’s available can lead to delightful culinary adventures without stretching your budget.

Markets are a way of life here in France. I could probably go to a different market every day of the week and still not venture more than 15km. One thing I have found is that vendors offer significant discounts near closing time, so it’s worth holding on if you want to save some money. Plus, don’t be afraid to buy in bulk. Root vegetables last if you store them properly. 

Eat Out Smarter, Entertain Cheaper: Rural Dining Done Right

Eating out here is much cheaper than in the UK, especially if you opt for a Menu du Jour. True, there is usually not much choice, two options at most, but often it’s no choice but to have what they’re serving up. But the food is usually so good, it really doesn’t matter.

For €15, you can get three courses and a glass of wine. It’s a bargain, and I’m yet to have a bad experience. Of course, if you’re a fussy eater or vegan like my next door neighbor, Simon, it’s possibly not the option for you. The French love their meat, and you never quite know what you’ll get served up, but that’s part of the fun for me.

If you enjoy eating out, sign up for La Fourchette (The Fork). It’s the French version of OpenTable, often offering up to 50% off your meal at local restaurants.

Then there’s socializing at home. In the summer, our garden has an open gate policy. If we’re in the garden having a cheeky bottle of wine, you can bet that within an hour, at least two of our neighbors have dropped by, usually bringing a bottle with them. It’s ridiculously sociable.

In the winter, we host regular dinner parties. Each couple brings a course, so we often end up with interesting combinations as we never know what the others will bring. It’s a great way to keep the cost down while still enjoying entertaining. Naturally, everyone contributes wine as well. 

Shrink Your Bills: Clever Ways to Save on Utilities

One thing we learned quickly after moving to rural France is that old stone houses are beautiful, but they’re not built for energy efficiency. Nearly everyone we know either has a woodburner. We have two, one in our kitchen and another in our lounge. 

We buy wood locally in bulk from a local guy from the commune and split the delivery with neighbors to get a better rate. If you’re lucky, you might even find a nearby farmer who’ll let you collect fallen branches or cut your own from their land for a small fee or trade.

Then there’s the chimney sweep. By law, you must have your chimney swept and certified once a year; otherwise, your insurance is null and void. So, we’re in a syndicate with three of our neighbors, and we all have chimneys swept by the same guy on the same day every year. He gives us a group price, which saves a substantial amount.

Then there’s the group buying power of village life. Our commune organizes collective orders for heating oil. The price per liter drops when everyone joins in, so it’s worth asking at your mairie or watching noticeboards and Facebook groups for announcements. It’s the same with our Internet.

Fix It Yourself: Rural Living Skills That Save You Money

One of the biggest eye-openers when we moved to rural France was how hands-on people are here. Everyone seems to know how to do something, whether laying tiles, repairing shutters, or fixing fences. And let’s be honest, hiring tradespeople is pricey, especially if you’re on a budget.

Last year, I built a dry stone wall for my raised flowerbed. I’d never done it before, and my neighbor kindly gave me a load of stone he no longer wanted. It was messy, a bit wobbly in places, but oddly satisfying. And more importantly, it saved us money by not using an artisan.

This year, I’m sanding and repainting the fence and gates around our property. Trust me, it’s no mean feat as our property is large and has a lot of fencing with two huge gates. It’s hard work, but you feel deeply connected to your home when your hands have helped shape it.

And speaking of tools, don’t rush to buy everything. In our village, there’s a kind of unofficial tool library. Neighbors lend each other equipment all the time. Between two of our neighbors, Benoit and Stephane, they have most of the tools you could ever need. It works beautifully because everyone benefits, and it keeps costs low. We tend to repay them by hosting BBQs in the summer, which works perfectly.

Local communes sometimes offer free or low-cost workshops, too. From learning how to prune fruit trees to building a dry stone wall, you’ll find all sorts of practical courses in the mairie’s newsletter or pinned to random noticeboards around the village.

The truth is, once you stop thinking like a city dweller and start thinking like a villager, there are savings everywhere. Whether it’s firewood, fuel, or Wi-Fi, the key is asking around and doing things the rural way.

Final Euro-Saving Thoughts from the French Countryside

Living in rural France has taught me that saving money doesn’t mean sacrificing the good life. If anything, it’s helped me appreciate the little things in life and helped me slow down and enjoy what’s around me. It’s the little things that make life special, such as harvesting my own tomatoes or cycling to the local boulangerie for some fresh bread.

These aren’t just budget tips. They’re mindset shifts, the kind that make you slow down and connect more deeply with your surroundings.

So, whether you’re already living the rural dream or just starting to plan it, I hope these ideas help you save smartly and live richly.