My family wants to travel to France next year but I'm not sure how much it would cost per person. We would be traveling as cheaply as possible and staying at Airbnbs instead of hotels, we would stay a week in Paris and a week in the countryside. How much would it cost? Do y'all have traveling cost websites to recommend? What's the best French countryside region?
We would go late May/early June- is that touristy time?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
6118 posts
I strongly suggest a visit to your local library to get a guidebook or 2 to do some basic research. You can look at Google Flights to get an idea on flight prices. You can look at the Airbnb site to look at rental prices. You can read the threads on the France forum about transportation options and costs. Every major tourist site, like museums, monuments, and chateaux have their own websites that include ticket prices. There is no "best countryside region". They are all different and appeal to different people for different reasons. Hence the need for guidebooks and regional tourism websites that describe each area. I'm afraid that this is a situation where you need to do your own research, based on your needs and budget, and your knowledge of your family preferences.
And yes, May/June is within high season for tourist visits.
Posted by
Massachusetts
1332 posts
Here is some information about France from Rick Steves that will give you a high-level overview of Rick’s favorite/recommended places.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
871 posts
Also look at gites.com for country houses.
You can further reduce your costs by carefully planning what you want to see and do in Paris and maybe shifting a couple of your days toward the less expensive "countryside" stay(s).
I agree with the advice to do your research and return to the forum with specific questions.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1884 posts
Ruth,
France is a large country with many varied areas. Imagine someone asking you where to go in the US without giving you much info on what they hope to get out of their stay, except that it should be economical. You would have a big variety of answers for them. Please tell us what you want to do outside Paris. And how do you want to get around...car, train, bus? When you think about the French countryside, what picture comes to mind? What do you see yourself doing? That may define and refine what you are seeking and would give us a format to make suggestions. Also, how many people and their ages? That also may be an important consideration in car rental (e.g. do you need two cars or will one suffice?). Ditto train fares. How many people? Ages....moving about with luggage....ease of getting about. Comfort level re stairs, A/C, bed configurations. Any strong feelings or must haves about these subjects?
Please give us more details and we may have more suggestions for you.
Merci!
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1884 posts
Ruth, Your question reminds me of a friend who wanted to go see the Italin countryside and had no idea of where/what she wanted. She had an image from the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" and figured that all of Italy outside the big cities would be like that. I hope you are not channeling a movie here as it sometimes leads to disappointment. (Sometimes not, but we must be realistic.) And Emily in Paris is, to me, a bit...I don't know....overblown, is that is a good word for it.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1922 posts
Answering only your last question ----we have made many trips to western Europe in early June. While it is tourist season, it is not as busy as July and August because most European school children are still attending school in June.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
G3rryCee and Cynthia, thank y'all for your recommendations!
I have watched every Rick Steve's video in France and Paris there is, but I want an insider's scoop on neat places in France to visit, things the locals are proud of, like the village clock, or the best wine, or their weekly Farmer's Markets. Things that you really wouldn't find in a guide book. It would be 7 adults + a 12 yr old (who's going for the eclairs). I'm interested in touring wineries, biking around the country and taking life easy. I'm aware that Paris is more fast-paced, so I wanted our country stay to be very relaxed. I'm thinking we'd probably travel by train from Paris to....(not sure yet) and once we're in the town bike around. Should we rent a car instead? I also LOVE the idea of seeing the local shops, not tourist traps, but pottery or bookstores or handmade scarves and family businesses.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
And also very old abbies!
Posted by
France Southwest
2771 posts
And also very old abbies!
Abbies or Abbey?
If it's "abbey," here's the list of active monasteries, convents, and abbeys:
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_des_abbayes,_monast%C3%A8res_et_couvents_catholiques_en_France.
But seriously, in my opinion, you won't find what you're looking for in a Rick Steves guidebook.
Maybe in old French guides before the internet..
Anyway, you need to refine your search, know what season you want to come to France in, whether you prefer the mountains, countryside, or seaside.
If you are 7 adults plus a child, check out the gites de France. There are more than 250,000 in France at all prices and amenities, and they are mainly in rural areas. Rentals are often for a minimum of 5 days.
Choose your region:
https://www.gites-de-france.com/en
You can even cross-reference your search with the map of the main French vineyards:
https://www.atelierduvin.com/produit/carte-des-vignobles-de-france/
Happy searching!