Top 10 Money-Saving Tips in France

Heading to France this summer but not sure you can afford it?

Travelers are questioning just how far their dollars will go, so we asked our community of Fodorites on Fodor's Travel Talk Forum (www.fodors.com) to reveal their insider tips on how to get the biggest bang for your buck and still have a fabulously rich travel experience.

1. "Watch for new train routes opening up from Paris and plan a trip around introductory' prices for the new routes.

Trains can be a low cost and comfortable means of point to point travel in France." —DeborahAnn

2. "People who stay farther from the center are not only spending much less money, but they are seeing a lot more of the city … a lot of the people who are already staying in the center will not necessarily venture to outer neighborhoods." —Kerouac

3. "We have found that a rental car frequently turns out to be cheaper for two people than taking the train.

If you drive, be sure to get a really good Michelin map for the area." —julies

4. "A restaurant lunch is cheaper than a restaurant dinner. One day we'll eat a restaurant lunch followed by a bread-cheese-pastry dinner.

The next day we'll have the bread-cheese lunch followed at dinner by salad and something to heat up from Leclerc." —Coquelicot

5. "Rent a gîte in a centrally located and interesting place. Outside of peak season, these can be remarkably inexpensive.

You can eat in (this saves a ton of money) without actually doing a lot of cooking by shopping at local markets, charcuteries, etc., for prepared foods that can be eaten cold or just warmed up." —julies

6. "In restaurants order robinet' not d'eau.' You will end up with tap water, which is free …. Look out for Les Routiers' [signs]. This is the traditional sign for lorry drivers but of course being French this is a sign of large amounts of local food at very low prices. This lunch deal normally starts at 12:00 (say until 12:15), wine included, and again no menu—just eat what is put in front of you." —bilboburgler

7. "If using a car, the cheapest fuel rates are at the supermarchés usually located at the edge of town. There are usually large billboards advertising the location.

Make sure to fill the tank on Saturday. They usually do not have staffed fuel stops on Sunday and your credit card won't work in the automatic machines." —ira

8. "Outside of Paris, if you're driving around, look for wine cooperatives where you can buy wine en vrac.'

Bring your own liter bottle and they will fill it for you." —petitepois

9. "For really cheap rail fares book early online—90-92 days before travel. Great if you're sure of your travel dates.... I got Nice-Paris €25 (TGV) single 92 days before traveling—they soon went to €45, then €60." —Ricardo_215

10. "I agree with staying in B&Bs. You can often find them from 50 euros or less in rural areas." —dgassa