France is a beautiful place for anyone who wants to visit someday. From the ancient structural buildings to a wide variety of landscapes and climate all within reach. For example, a visit to Avoriaz or Nice will allow you to visit the picturesque mountains and alluring beaches the same day. The south of France is one of the expensive places to visit because of the warmer weather that makes it in high demand. However, there are cheaper ways to experience this without having to give up your savings.

The cheapest time to travel to France is between April and June (spring) or September and November (fall) when there are fewer tourists, lower prices, and moderate temperatures. There are many water resorts in France, so in the summer months, traveling to France might be expensive and crowded.

Here Are The Two Cheapest Periods to Travel to France

April Through mid-June, September, and October (Shoulder Season)

Asides Paris, this is often the cheapest time to visit France because there are fewer crowds, typically mild weather and temperature, and discounted hotel rates. In Paris, a similar period to this time is late February, March, and mid- October to November. It’s most likely to be chilly, it will be less crowded as there are during other times or season. This can also be a great time for shopping as you can avoid crowds and enjoy discounts. The shoulder season is usually the best time for sightseeing in France. May and September in most areas (other than Paris, which will likely be busy) have fewer crowds, and you have a good chance of enjoying the mild weather. If you want to have this type of experience in Paris, the best time to travel is early March or late October.

>>Related: Paris Travel Guide

November through March, Except During Holidays (Low Season)

In the low season, the lines for all the attractions are much more reasonable, and you get to experience how the locals live. While the weather can be a restraint on things; however, if you are heading north, pack warm clothing as it will be cold and freezing at night. In the south of France, you will need to prepare for warm and sunny days and chilly nights. Sometimes you might not remember to pack your clothing, no worries, France got you! 

You can walk into any of the shops to purchase at pocket-friendly prices. You also get discounts on accommodations too. The winter months are great to visit the museums because this period is mostly wet, cold, and grey.

When you finally travel to France in the cheapest season of your choice, you might need to know some tips to help you get pocket-friendly and affordable services, live, and have fun within your means. 

Here are Some Tips For The Cheapest Travel to France

Hire a Campervan in the South of France 

If you will be traveling to the south of France during the summer, you might need to plan your route properly to avoid coastal roads where possible because the roads in the south of France can be a nightmare as driving along these roads for long distances can take twice as long as expected. 

If you can be patient, a road trip through southern France is a very good way to do some exploring and enjoy the countryside. Having your own portable kitchen and bedroom also reduces the stress of checking in and finding a restaurant. This will also save you more money. Some companies come with their campervans to pick you at the airport on your arrival.

Places To Go

There are many great campervan sites in France that will give the charm only nature provides. Some are even a paradise for Instagrammers. Le Clos du Lac is a perfect site for a perfect campervan experience. Placed at 1,485 meters on the edge of Écrins national park, this mountainous site offers views that are great for photo ops from the campervan door and a range of Instagram-friendly outdoor shots. Serre-Ponçon lake is just a short walk away, for swimming or fishing, and close by Boscodon forest has a lot of hiking trails. A family campsite is not far from there too. It has a volleyball court, a garden, and a kid’s play area. At night, the scene is magnificent from your campervan as you can stargaze as long as you want.

Guillerin Caravan & Glamping at Correze is another great camping site for visitors and locals alike. As a scenic site in the Millevaches National Park, it generously offers a bliss of nature. Just a 30 minutes’ drive to Aubusson and Meymac, it is not far off from civilization. And just 10 minutes to the nearest supermarket, food would not be a problem if you decide to cook. 

This site has a swimming pool for adults and children for some cool bath. For the adventurers, hiking through the forest close by will thrill them.

At Camping Le Mondou is divided into two areas in a figure of eight. At the top of the loop is a swimming pool, playground, and restaurant; the lower area has the quietest pitches, parched by trees and shrubs. Even though the modern touches (the wash-block is new, and Wi-Fi is available), old-fashioned tent camping rules, with essentially French atmosphere coming to head-on Tuesday evenings when campers can compete in a related boules tournament to won a bottle of wine. 

Camping le Mondou is a five-minute walk to the river Dore, where the campsite organizes canoe trips. You can take time out to leave your campervan and join them.

Stay Far From the Center of Saint Tropez

St Tropez is one of the most visited by tourists in Europe during the summer months. It can also be one of the priciest. You might not be able to change the price, so to save your money, you can choose to take picnics to the beach instead of going to the restaurants. You can also check and decide the price range for your accommodation.

There are lots of cheaper and beautiful places to stay around St. Tropez like port Grimaud, as well as a number of camping sites such as Domaine des Naiades, which often have mobile homes, very affordable bars, and restaurants, and large pools around to lounge. Staying outside the city is a great way of experiencing the luxury of St Tropez on day trips without having to cope with the evening crowds who come off the boats or by car to party.

Camp in Sausset-Les-Pins

Sausset-Les-Pins is a small town known and well-loved for its beautiful seaside resort on the Mediterranean. Because the town is on the Blue Coast (to the west of Marseille), it’s slightly less crowded and cheaper than the Côte d’Azur to the east. It is very affordable than most internationally renowned towns close by, such as St Tropez. 

Sausset-Les-Pins is a very unhurried and relaxed place- it is not easy to find flashy restaurants, and there are many shops that sell buckets and spades and other beach paraphernalia along the miles of sandy beaches around you. Also, there are great camping sites and holiday homes along the stretch coast. Stay near the Saint-Croix beach when the summer ‘multitude’ leave for the evening, you will have the entire beach to yourself and your family with a few drinks from the local shop.

Skiing

If you are a serial skier, knowing when the cheapest time to visit France is as crucial as anything else about the trip. Predicting the right time to ski in any part of France is certainly a tough one to call. But it is quite possible to pick the periods to hold off if you want to have less time waiting in queues and more rewarding time on the slopes. 

Yuletide weeks and February are said to be the times to avoid skiing in France. Therefore there are just two periods when conditions are conducive for skiing as resorts get less crammed with people and less pricey.

The first period is between the 5th of January and early February. This time is usually calm, and prices tend to below. The downside, however, is that the days come shorter, and the weather can be gruesomely cold.

The second favorable period to ski in France is in March. By this time, the crowd is not much, except if Easter comes early. In addition, the Easter period is a great time to ski. But the downside subsists as ski resorts at lower altitudes may be losing their snow on the lower slopes.

Les Menuires is a cheap ski resort. Though situated in the well-known Trois Vallées ski region, this interesting area is between Val Thorens and St-Martin-de-Belleville, just down in the Belleville valley. Subsequently, Les Menuires enjoys the luxury of being linked to many close resorts.

Many skiers love this area because it is usually less crowded and relatively cheap. Les Menuires offers a swimming pool, a snow-biking track, and a toboggan.

Related:
>>Where Can You Go Skiing in France?
>>Best Places To Ski In France

Cheapest Time to Travel to France – Summary

You can travel to France, even on a budget. Above all, you need to plan well and understand the cheapest time to travel to France. Getting those in place, you will be absolutely fine.

Which do you think is the Cheapest Time to Travel to France? Leave your comments below.

>>Also Read:
How to Plan a Trip to France
Tips For Finding The Cheapest Flights to France
Cheapest Cities to Visit in France
How to Save Money in Paris
Best Affordable Restaurants in Paris
Best Ways to Save Money in Paris
Cheap Things to Do in France
Best Cost Cutting Tips When Traveling To Paris
France Backpacking Travel Guide
Most Famous Monuments In France