By The South of France has a reputation for being a playground of the rich. A place of stunning natural scenery, blissful city-side beaches, posh film festivals, and yachts of the elite converging from all corners of the world. Despite this, and though partially true, Cote d’Azur and Provence are just as accessible to the average globe-trotter, and as long as you’re smart, you can spend less than you do in Paris, but feel like a king.
1) Rent a car
This may seem crazy, but it’s the right move. If you want to see all the stunning sights and experiences that the region has to offer, renting a car is the most cost and time effective way to do so.
Sure, the main cities like Avignon, Nîmes, Marseilles, and Nice, are accessible by train, but everything else? Good luck. To illustrate the point, here’s a list of typical destinations for a trip to the South of France:
Pont du Gard - Gorges du Verdon
- St. Tropez
- Antibes
- Cannes
- Toulon
- Gourdon
- A wine vineyard (duh)
None of those places are on major, easily accessible mass-transit routes. You’ll find yourself piecing together a series of bus and train connections which take up precious time, and which will not save you money.
Instead, go for a low-tier rental, and conscientious, fuel-saving driving to save on cash and allow you roam the countryside and coastline freely. It’s a liberating feeling which you’ll never forget: windows down, coasting along the windy roads of Cote d’Azur and mountains of Provence… it’s just as wonderful as it sounds. Having the freedom to pull off the road and explore every little hamlet and coastal treasure is a priceless experience that is incredibly accessible to the average traveller.
We spent about $330 for a 4 day rental, that’s including gas, mileage and insurance. Split two ways, it was $165 each. If you’re traveling in a larger group, the savings will be even more dramatic.
Then, after returning the vehicle, we focussed on the places which we could see easily without having a car: exploring Nice, a day-trip to Monaco, relaxing on the beach, etc…
2) Use Airbnb
Besides Nice and Marseilles, the lack of quality hostels in the area makes traditional, affordable options scarce. Instead, use Airbnb. The region has an incredible amount of hosts with competitive prices, especially if you’re a couple.
As if the prices and cool locations weren’t enough, your hosts will often have fantastic advice for your travels. From local flea markets to winding roads off the beaten path, our journey owes much of its success to the great ideas of those who we stayed with.
Go with Airbnb in places like St. Tropez, Antibes, Avignon, Cannes and more… you’ll be amazed.
3) Kebab, Pizza & Curry
The South of France is a diverse place filled with people from all over the world. So it shouldn’t be surprising that when it comes to cheap options for the cost-conscious but gastronomically-inclined traveler, aiming for some non-French food, is often the way to go.
When eating out, going for kebab, Sardinian pizza, or the local Indian place, as opposed to a typical French restaurant, will save you tons. And for everything else, if you still shop for small batches of groceries and pack daily meals like a thrifty backpacker should, you’ll be all set.
To those who decry such a suggestion in such a culinary mecca like France, I would say that French food, though very kind to the senses, typically is not as kind to the wallet. Enjoy your French cuisine for a meal here and there, sure, but doing so for every meal gets very expensive. The diversity of Southern France means the alternatives are delicious. After all, the best Indian food I’ve had in my entire life was in Nice, some of the best street pizza, in Marseilles, and one of my favorite Kebab meals ever, in Avignon.
Leventeia 