12 Smart Ways to Save Money When Traveling in France

Traveling in France doesn’t have to empty your wallet. Whether you’re sipping espresso in a Paris café or taking a road trip through the French countryside, there are plenty of ways to experience the best of the country without overdoing it on the spending. It’s all about knowing where to look, what to avoid, and how the locals keep things simple.

I’ve learned a great deal about living lighter in France from my French neighbor, Stephane. He’s a mine of information when it comes to saving money. This list combines personal experiences and insider tips from Stephane on clever ways to make your trip go further. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, these ideas will help you save money when traveling in France. 

10 Ways to Save Money on Your French Vacation

No. 1 Save on Rail Travel with a Carte Avantage

As a travel writer, it stands to reason that I travel frequently, and I don’t always want to drive, as I miss out on so much by doing so. A few years ago, a friend told me about the Carte Avantage, and honestly, it paid for itself almost immediately. By the time I’d taken my first train journey, the savings had already covered the cost of the card. After that, every trip felt like a bonus.

The card costs €49 for the year, and depending on where you’re headed, it offers a 30% discount to you and one other person traveling with you. You’ll get the most out of it if you’re planning to travel between regions or take a few long-distance trains. It works best when booked through the SNCF Connect app, which is free and easy to use.

Once you’ve set up your profile in the app, just add your Carte Avantage number. Then, whenever you search for routes, the discounts are applied automatically. It works on both trains and buses, so you don’t have to do anything fancy to get the lower fares. Simply plug in your destination and departure time, and let it take care of the rest.

No. 2 Use Transit Passes and Ticket Bundles 

If you’re spending time in cities like Paris, Lyon, or Marseille, buying single tickets for every trip adds up fast. Local transit passes are a much better deal, especially if you’re hopping around by metro, tram, or bus a few times a day.

Most cities offer daily, weekly, or even monthly options, and they’re surprisingly affordable. In Paris, for example, you can grab a pack of 10 Metro tickets, called a carnet, which works out cheaper than paying per ride. There are also travel cards that cover unlimited journeys within certain zones, which makes life easier if you’re venturing beyond the center.

You can usually pick up these passes at station kiosks, machines, or even via transport apps. It saves time fumbling for change and often comes with the bonus of avoiding queues at ticket machines during busy times. If you’re staying a few days or more, it’s a smart move that keeps things simple and saves you money.

Invest in a City Sightseeing Pass

If you’re planning to see a lot in one city, a sightseeing pass can be surprisingly good value. I’ve used them in Bordeaux and Rouen, and both times they more than paid off. In Bordeaux, mine included entry to the Bassins des Lumières and the Cité du Vin, which would’ve cost quite a bit on their own.

Most of these passes cover museums, galleries, monuments, and even public transport. They often include skip-the-line access too, which is a relief in peak season. You’ll also receive a booklet or app with information on everything that’s included, making it easy to plan your days around what you want to see.

The trick is to use it well. Pack your sightseeing into the days your pass is active, which are typically valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours, and check opening times in advance. For example, in Bordeaux, we had to be at the Cité du Vin before Midday to use our pass.

Pedal Around with Local Bike Schemes

Bike-sharing has taken off across France, and it’s no longer just for big cities. More towns are rolling out their own versions, making it easier than ever to get around without relying on buses, taxis, or your own two feet the entire time. If you’re up for a bit of fresh air and don’t mind pedaling, this is a brilliant way to explore.

Each city has its own system, so you’ll need to download the right app to get started. Once you’ve signed up, you can check the map to find the nearest available bike. Just tap to unlock it and start riding. When you’re done, dock it at any of the marked stations and the app stops your ride and calculates the cost. Most systems charge based on the duration of your ride, but the first portion of time is often free.

When I was in La Rochelle, I used their Yélo bikes. The first 30 minutes of every ride didn’t cost a thing, which meant most of my trips around town were completely free. Even if I went a bit over, the extra time only cost a few cents per minute. It was a great way to get from the old port to the beach, or zip across town to a market without worrying about traffic or parking. If you’re looking for an easy, affordable, and genuinely fun way to explore, this is one to try.

Opt for Tip-Based Tours

Tip-based walking tours are one of the easiest ways to explore a city without blowing your budget. You can book them through FreeTour.com, a platform that connects travelers with independent guides offering local tours across France and beyond. There’s no upfront fee. You simply join the tour and decide what it was worth at the end.

It’s straightforward to use. Visit the website, select your city, browse available tours, and reserve your spot. Most tours last around two hours and cover key landmarks, hidden corners, or themed walks depending on what’s on offer. At the end, you tip the guide whatever amount feels fair based on your experience.

I’ve found that these tours offer a good balance of local knowledge, humor, and flexibility. There’s no pressure, and the guides are often enthusiastic locals who know the area inside out. If you enjoy exploring on foot and want a deeper connection to the places you’re visiting without committing to high prices, this is a great option to try.

Leverage Museum Free-Entry Days

Museums in France often offer free entry on specific days or at certain times, and with a bit of planning, you can take advantage of that. National museums typically open their doors for free on the first Sunday of every month, although this may vary during peak season. It’s worth checking each museum’s official site, especially during holidays or events, as these can bring additional free options.

Paris alone hosts dozens of museums with scheduled free access, from the Musée d’Orsay to Musée Carnavalet. In smaller towns, municipal and regional museums often participate as well, especially during annual heritage festivals like the Journées du Patrimoine in mid-September, which opens many cultural sites at no cost.

Popular museums tend to fill up quickly, even when admission is free. It’s a simple way to enjoy art, history, and architecture without spending a euro and without missing out on some of France’s finest cultural experiences.

Use Fee‑Free Bank and Travel Cards + eSIM 

Using your regular bank card in France might seem convenient, but it often comes with hidden fees. A better option is to set up a travel card before you go. Cards from companies like Wise, Revolut, or Monzo let you spend in euros without those extra charges that banks love to sneak in. You’ll get a fair exchange rate and can keep track of everything in the app.

These cards are easy to use. Load them up before your trip, use contactless or your phone to pay, and withdraw cash from ATMs without worrying about surprise charges. Most come with limits for free withdrawals, but they’re generous enough to cover a typical trip if you plan ahead.

To avoid roaming costs, invest in an eSIM. I have one for all my trips back to the UK, and then an individual one for any other countries I visit. You can install one before you arrive, connect to a French network instantly, and skip the search for local SIM cards. Providers like Airalo and Orange offer short-term data plans that are ideal for navigating, messaging, and staying up-to-date with bookings. 

Go for the Menu du Jour Like a Local

If you want a good meal in France without spending a fortune, skip the à la carte option and opt for the menu du jour instead. It’s the set menu of the day, usually offered at lunch Monday-Friday, and it’s what the locals go for. You’ll normally get three courses and, in some cases, a glass of wine thrown in as well, for far less than you’d pay if you ordered separately.

What’s on offer depends on the season, which keeps things interesting. The starter is usually some kind of salad, followed by a simple French dish such as cassoulet or coq au vin, followed by your choice of cheese or dessert. 

You’ll find these deals posted on chalkboards outside cafés and restaurants, especially in smaller towns. The focus is on good food rather than huge portions. If you want to eat well and spend wisely, this is the French way to do it.

Choose the House Wine and Skip the Markup

If you’re not fussed about vintages or grape varieties, go for the house wine. Most restaurants and cafés will have a perfectly drinkable red, white, or rosé ready to pour. Just ask for un verre de vin rouge, blanc, or rosé and you’re sorted.

If you’re planning to have more than a glass, ask for un pichet instead. That’s a carafe, and it typically comes in several sizes. A small one is 25cl, which is approximately equivalent to two glasses. You can also go for a half-liter or a full liter if you’re sharing. It’s a good way to enjoy wine without the steep markup that comes with ordering a bottle from the main wine list.

The point is, you can enjoy decent French wine without spending a fortune, and it’s a perfectly normal thing to do. After all, you’re in France, where the wine is insanely good and not expensive if you drink the house variety.

Build Your Own Baguette Picnic

One of the easiest ways to save money on the go is to make your own lunch, and in France, that often means a baguette picnic. Head to the nearest boulangerie for a fresh baguette, then pop into a fromagerie or supermarket for a wedge of cheese, some sliced saucisson, or whatever else takes your fancy. Add a piece of fruit and maybe a pastry for dessert, and you’ve got yourself a meal that tastes better than most takeaway options.

It’s also a lovely way to slow down and enjoy where you are. Find a bench in a leafy square, sit by the river, or stretch out on the grass with your picnic and take it all in. Plus, you’ll spend a fraction of what you would at a café. And a French baguette is beyond tasty, so why wouldn’t you?

Explore France’s Best Free Experiences

Not everything worth seeing in France comes with a price tag. In fact, France has numerous attractions that are free to enter and often come with free parking, too. Wandering through medieval villages, visiting open-air markets, exploring church interiors, or strolling along a coastal path costs nothing but time and often turns out to be the highlight of the day.

Many towns have self-guided walking trails with plaques that share bits of local history. Parks, gardens, and historic public squares are open year-round and give you a feel for the rhythm of daily life. And if you’re there in the summer, keep an eye out for open-air concerts, festivals, or village fêtes that are free to attend and full of local flavor.

Bring a Refillable Water Bottle

Buying bottled water might not seem like a big expense, but it adds up quickly, especially when you’re out and about all day. Most tap water in France is safe to drink, making it one of the easiest ways to save money and reduce waste simultaneously.

I use the LifeStraw Go Series and wouldn’t travel without it. It has a built-in filter that removes bacteria, parasites, chlorine, and anything that might make the water taste a bit off. That means you can fill up from a public fountain, a café tap, or even a campsite sink and feel confident that the water is clean. It’s ideal if you’re moving between towns or spending long days outdoors.