Some call Provence the quintessence of France: the grand intersection of fine wine, buzzing culture, delectable food, and wondrous nature. Though the region may be rich in its fruits, there are plenty of ways to experience all of its grandeur without being rich yourself — financially that is.

How to maximize your euros in Provence

1. Wine: Diversify your palate

Let’s be honest. One cannot deny the prestigious reputations of appellations like Châteauneuf du Pape or Coteaux d’Aix en Provence; they are vanguards of French viticulture, but their fame is not unparalleled to some of the lesser-known appellations of Provence. You’ll be happy to know that once you arrive, your preconceived notion of wine will grow exponentially — and at a price accessible for all budgets.

Traveling during the summer? Venture to the Languedoc capital of Provence, Montpellier, for their Estivales night markets occurring every Thursday evening between July 6th and August 31st (except the 13th). €5 will buy you two glasses of local wine and a chance to immerse yourself with the local esprit de corps, music and various food vendors abounding. What’s more, every Friday the association, Les Coteaux de Languedoc, offers two free oenology courses, however, spots are limited so be sure to grab yours in advance.

If you’re looking to visit a vineyard off the beaten track, I would highly recommend the idyllic Château Mourgues du Grès: a family-run estate based on organic growing principles, and offering visitors a truly unique nature-oriented experience.  It won’t surprise you their motto is, “Sine Sole Nihil” (Nothing Without Sun).

2. Culture: Festivals, markets, museums, galore!

With no shortage of cultural hotspots, Provence has something for everyone anywhere you go. Most museums offer reduced-price tickets for families as well as those under 26.

In Arles, students can enjoy the recently finished Fondation Vincent Van Gogh, which hosts an impressive array of exhibitions, in addition to famous paintings by the artist himself, for only €4!

In Marseille, you definitely won’t want to pass up the renowned MUCEM, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations, a 10 to 15-minute walk from the main train station, perched on the edge of the sea. For just €9.50, skip the line to the museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions, plus gain access to the J4 building and Fort Saint-Jean. Even if you’re not big on history, the building’s serene location and juxtaposing architecture are reason enough to make the trek.

While you may have heard of the legendary Festival d’Avignon, the annual performing arts festival (and largest festival in France), or the world-class, Cannes Film Festival on the French Riviera, Provence nurtures an eclectic roster of cultural options and events throughout the year for budgets big and small. For all the cinephiles out there, be sure to check out the ultra-hip cinema, Utopia, in Avignon where a matinée will set you back at €4 — plus, it sits adjacent to the monumental Palais des Papes!

Insider’s Tip: Local newspapers and public bulletin boards often show all the happenings of the town, so keep an eye out for artistic posters and flyers. Also, if you’re keen on checking out the Festival d’Arles, come during the opening week and situate yourself on a terrace as many performers come around, passing out special invitations.

Market day in Avignon. Photo: Julian

3. Food: Indulge your taste buds at local markets

When it comes to food, the best way to stretch your wallet is heading to one of the many markets Provence hosts. Not only are you saving money, but you’re also engaging with the local community and gourmandizing the French way. Get your foodie and culture fix in one by gathering your favorite picnic fare, trying all the free samples, all the while absorbing the vibrant and fragrant atmosphere.

Saint Rémy de Provence – Wednesdays and Saturdays 8h-13h
Highlights: Not far from the fairytale town, Les Baux de Provence, making it a great place to gather picnic fare before meandering the neighboring towns!

Aix-en-Provence – Wednesdays and Sundays 8h-13
Highlights: Christmas market in December!

Avignon – Tuesdays – Sundays
Highlights: The gateway to Provence and capital of Vaucluse, Avignon brims with gothic architecture and medieval ramparts, notably visible from the prodigious Palais des Papes, home of the Roman Catholic Church during the 14th century. From full-blown farmers markets to flower markets and flea markets, you’ll find plenty of goodies sold at affordable prices.

Carpentras – Fridays
Highlights: One of the oldest markets in France, situated on a bed of rich agriculture, Carpentras is famous for their strawberries in the spring and truffles in the winter.

L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – Thursdays – Sundays
Highlights: One of the best brocantes (antiques) market in the south of France!

A peaceful scene at Pont du Gard. Photo: Gerard

4. Nature: Enliven your senses

Though Provence’s terrain is more arid-leaning, it is far from looking bereft of lush vegetation. Known for its “meso-climates,” and undulating limestone mountain ranges, it’s no wonder Provence attracts famous celebrities and curious travelers alike.

To visit Provence and not bask in its bucolic opulence — engaging in activities like hiking, bicycling, swimming, or even rock climbing — would be a shame, and to some, complete and utter sacrilege! For the budget traveler, Provence offers one of the most diverse regions for lovers of the outdoors.

Here are some favorites:

Les Calanques: for a stunning seaside hike, swim, and/or climb

Pont du Gard: for a float down the river Gard and a remarkable example of Roman architecture

Gorge du Verdon: for a mystical hike, swim, and/or climb amidst the deepest gorge in France

Les Alpilles: for a plethora of scenic viewpoints overlooking quintessential Provençal towns, including Luberon, Baux de Provence, and Tarascon among others

Soak in Provence at Hôtel et Jardin in Avignon.

5. Travel & Lodging: Resting your head and getting from A to B

Coming from Paris? Check out Ouigo, an affordable subsidiary of SNCF (France’s national train line), covering a variety of spots in the Provence-Alpes-Côtes d’Azur (PACA) region. Tickets can be as low as €10 one way, just be sure to book at least two weeks in advance.

Related: How to find cheap tickets on France’s high-speed trains

If you’re flying in, you have even more options. The biggest airport is located in Marseille; however, many of the budget airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet fly into Nîmes, Nice, and Montpellier from other French and European and Northern African locales.

Provence is loaded with affordable accommodations whether you’re looking for a rural retreat with a pool or a cozy hotel room in the heart of the city center. If you’re headed to Aix-en-Provence, you can check in at these cheap and charming hotels. or book a room at the best budget hotels in Avignonon.

Looking for more options? Search thousands of hotels and vacation apartments in Provence.

The post Provence Budget Tips: A moveable feast minus the extravagant costs appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

This lovely small city located just 30 minutes north of Marseille dates back to 123 BC and is the historic southern home of the French upper crust.

Aix-en-Provence has a lot going for it. The city boasts over 300 days of sunshine each year (but be wary of the weird and windy mistral season in late winter and early spring), a full calendar of cultural events and activities throughout the year, an excellent collection of museums and galleries, and a thriving population of students canvassing the cafes and bistros.

But Aix also doesn’t stray too far from its well-heeled past: It’s expensive. If you’re planning a visit to Aix — and we think you should! — we have a few suggestions for ways to do it on the cheapo.

Location: Be central, but don’t overdo it

Aix isn’t a big place. Most of the “big draws” share a convenient truth: They’re located either in Aix’ Centre Ville or a very short walk away. If you expect to visit the morning market at Place Richelme, order a cafe crême from a surly waiter at Les Deux Garcons, or go on a photo-binge of the many fountains in Aix, you’ll be spending your time in a fairly compact area.

As a result, it is not necessary to try to book a room smack dab on the Cours Mirabeau – many less expensive options abound less than a 10- minute walk away. Save your money – you’ll need it.

Tips for cheap hotels in Aix-en-Provence

Avoid paying for your breakfast at your hotel, unless it’s complimentary (even then, make sure you compare rates for rooms that do and don’t include breakfast to see the difference). Part of the joy of Aix en Provence is being outside for meals at all times of the day. We can hardly think of anything better than a fresh baguette from a local boulangerie and a coffee while sitting in one of the city’s many squares.

If you’re visiting during any month other than July and August, don’t obsess about booking a hotel with air conditioning. While it can warm up during the day, it cools down at night and you won’t need it.

If you need Wi-Fi access while traveling, make sure that you’re clear whether this is provided by the hotel for free or if it’s an additional charge. Most of the hotels we recommend on EuroCheapo tend to offer free Wi-Fi access, but it does vary by property. Know before you book.

Also, keep in mind that if you plan on staying “inside the ring” of Centre Ville, you’ll likely be staying in a very old, potentially historic location that hasn’t changed much in many, many years. What this adds in charm might also mean it lacks in certain amenities. For example: elevators. In general, the further you stray from Centre Ville, the more modern the hotel will be.

The view from the rooftop of the Hotel du Globe.

A few of our recommended budget hotels in Aix

Here are three hotel suggestions we have for your next trip to Aix. Each property is recommended based on its combination of location, price, amenities offered and if we think it represents a good deal.

Hotel du Globe

74, cours Sextius

Located in the center of Aix en Provence, this two-star offers 46 rooms with a private bathroom, air conditioning, cable TV and free Wi-Fi. Its location on Cours Sextius means you’ll be steps from the Fontaine de la Rotunde and the rest of central Aix without overpaying.

Rates start at $85 per night.

Hôtel Vendôme

10, Cours des Minimes

Just a stone’s throw from the city’s historic center and Pavillon Vendôme, Hôtel Vendôme offers simple but comfortable accommodations, complete with air conditioning, private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi. A homemade breakfast served daily will cost you extra.

Doubles start at $85 a night.

We like the Provence style touches in the rooms at Hotel Artea.

Hôtel Artea

4 boulevard de la République

The three-star Hôtel Artea sits in the heart of the city, with easy access to the Grand Theater de Provence and the Fontaine de la Rotunde. Air-conditioned, en suite rooms are bright and clean, and some are lent extra charm thanks to exposed ceiling beams.

The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi, a lounge bar and breakfast for an extra fee.

Rates for a double room start at $82 a night.

Hôtel Saint Christophe

2 Avenue Victor Hugo

Every stay at Hôtel Saint Christophe is unique because each room features its own vibrant personality. The Art Deco-style hotel offers air-conditioned, soundproofed rooms with free Wi-Fi in a central location near shops, restaurants, and the train station.

You can book a double room starting at $104 a night.

Des Augustins has a very central location.

Des Augustins

3, rue de la Masse-angle cours Mirabeau

If you absolutely, positively must be inside the ring, the Des Augustins will put you next to the Cours Mirabeau without wiping out your entire budget. The Des Augustins is housed in a former 12th-century convent and offers the “best” location of our picks.

Rates start at $116 per night for doubles.

Hotel de France

63 Rue Espariat

The Hotel de France is located so close to La Rotonde at the western end of Cours Mirabeau that you can practically feel the fountain’s mist. Ok, that might be a tad much, but you get the picture: This hotel is all about location, yet manages to offer moderate prices even during peak season.

This three-star property has 27 rooms, each with flat screen TV and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is an extra fee, but you’ll be surrounded by cafes and plentiful other options to start your day off in style.

You can score a double for rates as low as $116 a night.

More suggestions? Ready to find the perfect hotel in Aix for your budget? Head to our hotel page for Aix en Provence, for more hotel picks and budget travel tips. And if you’re planning to visit Avignon as well, read up on our favorite cheap hotels there.

The post Cheap hotels in Aix-en-Provence, France appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Fair fares and high speed

With adult return fares from London to Brussels and Paris currently available from £59 return, budget-conscious British travelers are well aware that in terms of price and city center to city center journey times Eurostar knocks spots off the competition from airlines. And this train service has subtly reshaped England’s relationship with Europe — most particularly since late 2007 when the stylish terminal at St. Pancras replaced dowdy Waterloo as the London launch-pad for trains to the continent.

Reshaping Europe

Londoners have suddenly realised that the journey from St. Pancras to Brussels takes no longer than the ride from St. Pancras to Sheffield. You can hop on Eurostar in London and alight at Calais (the first stop in France) less than an hour later.

But Eurostar is more than merely the canny way to reach Brussels and Paris. It is a good choice for a wonderful range of other journeys. For example, Eurostar offers winter-season direct trains from London to the French Alps. The current season is well underway with most services already heavily booked. The last return trains from Bourg-St-Maurice and Moûtiers-Salins are this year on April 13.

From London to Aix-en-Provence

Eurostar has long run a summer service from London to Avignon and that popular route to Provence is set to return for 2013, but with an interesting twist. Direct trains to Avignon will this year run for a longer summer season (with the first departure from London on May 4 and the last on August 31). During the months of May and June, these trains will be extended beyond Avignon to Aix-en-Provence.

Breaking records

Aix thus becomes the most distant point from London to which it has ever been possible to travel on a direct train from London. Way back in pre-Eurostar days, there were direct overnight sleeper services from London to the continent. The trains cars were ferried over the English Channel in a boat. For a time there were even through carriages to Switzerland, but never has there been anything to match this new direct train to Aix.

Eurostar will purr from St. Pancras to Aix-en-Provence, a journey of 1,215 km (about 755 miles), in just over six hours. Return fares to Aix can still be booked from just £109.

How to book tickets

To grab the best fares on Eurostar, bear in mind the forward booking horizons that apply to your intended route. For the capital city services from London to Paris and Brussels, tickets go on sale four months before departure. That same forward booking horizon applies for tickets to Calais and Lille.

But tickets for other Eurostar destinations go on sale very much longer in advance. For example, the company runs a direct service from London to Marne la Vallée – Chessy (a route that is hugely popular with British families bound for Disneyland, but also useful for the excellent connections at Marne la Vallée into the French TGV network). And tickets on those trains can already be booked right through to October 2013.

Tickets for all direct trains to Avignon and Aix in 2013 can already be booked on the Eurostar website — right through to August 31, 2013. But if you are looking to book a trip to the ski slopes on one of Eurostar’s direct trains to the Alps for next winter, you’ll have to wait a while yet. We expect tickets for those services to be released for sale in July 2013.

The post Eurostar Expands its Network: London to Aix-en-Provence from £109 return appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.