Paris Value

 

There's no need for France to be expensive. In fact it is probably one of the easiest places to have a good time without spending a lot of money.

Public Transport

Public transport is the way to go for the best value, although hiring a car could be economic if you are doing a lot of travelling around the country. Trains are inexpensive if you buy a pass before you go. In Paris you can't go past the Metro which covers the whole city, is speedy and efficient. However, don't neglect the busses too. The big advantage of the bus is that you can see where you are going. It might take a while, but that's the whole point - you're not in a hurry are you?

Walking

You don't need to drive, get taxis or even public transport in a lot of places (especially Paris). The biggest joy can be found by simply walking around (ar being a flaneur). The joys of discovering places on foot cannot be matched and creates your own personal experience of France. Give it a go. Recommended reading - The Flaneur: A Stroll Through the Paradoxes of Paris (2001) by Edmund White.

Food

France is heaven for food. You can get delicious sandwiches and bageuttes from the multitude of stalls on the streets. One of the best meals is to buy a baguette and a some Brie and have a picnic in the Jardin du Luxembourg. If you can't find cheap, delicious food in France you are not really trying.

Accomodation

OK, I'll admit it's hard to find good, cheap accomodation in France (especially Paris). You might want to head to some of the larger towns and you can get some pretty good rates. Try Dijon, Lyon, Avignon for some really interesting places that will be cheaper than Paris. In the end it comes down to what you want to do. You can save money on food and transport, but to me, accomodation is one area where it is better to spend a little bit more and get a cheap hotel rather than staying in a backpackers. But that's up to you. Whatever you do, just go and have fun.