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.

And it’s easy to get there. Just hop on the high-speed train in Paris, and you’ll be there in about three hours. Here’s how to get cheap TGV tickets in France.

But before you say cheers, you’ll need to find a Cheapo-friendly place to rest after the long days of exploring — and drinking wine.

More French travel tips:
• How to find cheap hotels in France
• Where to stay in Aix-en-Provence
• 50 Ways to save in France

The 4 best cheap hotels in Avignon, France

Luckily, budget hotels in Avignon aren’t hard to find. We’re sharing our favorite clean, comfortable and friendly spots with excellent locations to boot.

Hôtel Les Corps Saints

Neighborhood: Historical Center
Doubles from $46

The Hôtel Les Corps Saints offers serious Cheapos simple, comfortable rooms and a home base right near the train station. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and air conditioning. Best of all, guestrooms offer remarkable views of the Historic Center. Read the full review

We love the old-world French style of the room decor at Régina.

Régina

Neighborhood: Historical Center
Doubles from $55

Thanks to recent updates, rooms at the Régina are stylish and modern, but rates are still Cheapo-friendly. Just a quick walk from the Palace of Popes, this hotel offers all the amenities you could need, from flat-screen TVs to free WiFi — some rooms even have balconies. Read the full review

Start your day in the charming breakfast room at Le Magnan.

Le Magnan

Neighborhood: Historical Center
Doubles from $55

Set in a peaceful part of the Historic Center, Le Magnan offers sleek, minimalist en suite rooms with garden views just minutes from some of the city’s most delicious restaurants. In the summer, guests can start their days with breakfast on the lovely garden patio. Read the full review

Relax in the lovely garden at Au Saint Roch Hotel.

Au Saint Roch – Hôtel et Jardin

Neighborhood: South of Center
Doubles from $65

The rooms at the Au Saint Roch – Hôtel et Jardin are reminiscent of Grandma’s house in the best way. Cute and cozy, this hotel offers a lovely garden and terrace views from every guestroom, plus amenities like air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. They even have a buffet breakfast! Read the full review

More hotel options in Avignon

Are you inspired to visit Avignon? Check out our full hotel guide to Avignon to search for affordable accommodations.

The post The 4 best cheap hotels in Avignon, France appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The Gard is located just west of Provence in south central France. This magical region abounds with natural beauty and less touristy towns, which makes it even more attractive to those looking for the France Profonde (The authentic France).

Pont du Gard

The Gard’s most popular attraction is the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct that is considered a magnificent engineering feat, but is also an architectural masterpiece. The graceful arches of the Pont (Bridge) cast a warm glow in the sunlight as it frames the lazy Gard River below.

A visit to the Pont du Gard must also include a visit to the recently constructed visitor’s center which contains a museum and a hands-on Children’s Learning Area. There is also a comfortable outdoor café on the grounds serving very tasty lunches and snacks along with an excellent view of the Pont du Gard.

A bull grazing in the Camargue.

Camargue

If you love nature, you must visit the wild Camargue, or more formally, The Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, a World Heritage site. Located between the Mediterranean Sea, and the two arms of the Rhone River delta, the Camargue and the Petit Camargue are natural wonderlands. Here you will see hundreds of flamingos, plus as many as 400 other bird species. Bring your binoculars!

You can also hike, ride the famous Camargue white horses or take a boat trip within the 360 square miles of this natural marshland. You will likely also observe wild bulls grazing in the long grasses.

Cevennes National Park

For an adventure in nature of a different sort, consider the Cevennes National Park. The Cevennes is a maze of deep valleys with winding rivers and hills covered in forests and mulberry bushes that were planted ages ago for feeding the silkworms which were bred in the mills called magnaneries. This is a wonderful place for camping, hiking and enjoying nature.

There are a few towns that I believe are must-see when you are in this region. Number one has got to be Nimes and of course Aigues Mortes, Beaucaire, and Uzes.

Take a tour of Nimes' Coliseum.

Nimes

Your favorite jeans are made of denim, the fabric originally made in Nimes: de Nimes (of Nimes) beginning at the latter part of the Middle Ages. Nimes was also a center of the silk trade.

Nimes’ Coat of Arms is a crocodile chained to a palm tree. When the Romans conquered Egypt, a coin was struck in Nimes with that depiction as well as the words Col Nem (colony of Nimes) to celebrate the event. The Nimes populace grew to love the coin and adapted it as the city’s crest.

There are several Roman artifacts adorning this compact city. The Maison Carree or Square House is a Roman Temple set in the center of town. Built in the 1st Century AD, it was completely restored at the end of 2010. The Roman Amphitheatre is one of the best preserved of the Roman world. Built in the 1st century AD, it is still used to this day for bullfights and other events.

Walk the streets of Aigues Morts

Aigues Mortes

On the western edge of the Camargue, is the medieval town of Aigues Mortes (dead waters). The city was a Roman town built in about 10 AD. The walled city we see today was re-built by Louis IX in the 13th century as France’s only Mediterranean port at that time. It was the embarkation point of the Seventh Crusade (1248) and the Eighth Crusade (1270).

Beaucaire

Beaucaire sits across the river from the castle town of Tarascon. Like Tasascon, Beaucaire has its own castle and dragon legend. Beaucaire was a rich market town in the middle ages. You can see the vestiges of magnificent hotels, used to house the visiting merchants, now used as apartment buildings and palatial homes.

The Palace of the Duke in Uzes.

Uzes

Uzes captured my heart the moment we arrived. It is a small, walkable town that oozes charm around every corner. I loved the Saturday market, held in the Place aux Herbes. It is a favorite because of the vast variety of market items on sale. If only I could stuff more into my suitcase!

The palace of the Duc of Uzes is set right in town, and there is still a Duc who lives there, on occasion. On our tour, we spotted the Duc talking with one of his employees. Here’s a hint: if the flag is flying at the castle, the Duc is in residence.

Uzes lies at the source of the Eure river, and it is from here that the Roman aqueduct was built to carry the water 25K away to Nimes. The Pont du Gard is part of this aqueduct.

I have honestly just scratched the surface of this little corner of France. On your next trip to France, be sure to check out the Gard.

About the author: Terri Fogarty is the publisher of EuropeUpClose.com.

The post Getting to Know France’s Gard Region appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

So much well-justified praise is heaped on Eurostar’s capital city links that it is easy to overlook that the rail service through the Channel Tunnel is good for more than merely quick hops to nearby capitals.

Direct trains to the Alps

Last Saturday, Eurostar kicked off its regular season of direct ski-trains, serving some of France’s premier winter sports resorts from London and two other stations in south-east England: Ebbsfleet and Ashford.

Ready to board in St Pancras. Photo © hidden europe magazine

Although the trains are aimed fair and square at the winter sports market, you certainly don’t need to be a skier to use these trains which are a very fine way of traveling from England to the Savoie area of eastern France. The services run through mid-April and operate to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, stopping along the way at Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains and Aime-La Plagne. The latter, with its cottage-style stone station building, surely rates as the most rural station on the Eurostar network.

Dash South to Avignon

Tickets go on sale tomorrow (December 22, 2011) for Eurostar’s 2012 season of direct trains from London and Ashford to Avignon in the south of France. Travelers can speed from Kent to the heart of the Provence in less than five hours.

And whereas most French high-speed trains serve Avignon TGV station, the Eurostar services drop passengers at Avignon Centre, just a stone’s throw from the ancient city wall and the Old Town. For Londoners keen to catch some southern sun, the direct Eurostar service to Avignon is hugely more appealing than tackling airport crowds.

Eurostar operates a two-class service on the Avignon route (compared with the choice of three classes on their capital city services). Fares start at £109 return in Standard Class and, for passengers wanting extra space with complimentary meals and drinks, return tickets in Standard Premier are from £249.

Connections through Brussels

We traveled last Wednesday from London to Cologne, an easy 4hr 20min journey including a slick connection from Eurostar onto a German ICE train at Brussels. You can use the Eurostar website to book through journeys from London to Aachen and Cologne in Germany, as well as to any station in the Netherlands or in Belgium.

City center to city center travel times often undercut comparable journeys made by air. For example, the fastest rail connections from London to Rotterdam (changing at Brussels) take less than four hours.

Beyond Paris

Travelers from the UK can use the Eurostar website to book through tickets from London via Paris to a dozen Swiss cities and to over 60 stations across France.

We used this latter option last month on a London to Strasbourg journey, which took 5hrs 15mins. That included time for a change of trains in Paris, requiring an easy ten-minute walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l’Est. One-way fares on this routing start at £55.

Some travelers worry that many itineraries via Paris require a change of station in the French capital. And that is where Lille Europe station comes in handy, as it offers seamless connections between Eurostar and the French high-speed network without the need to switch stations. For example, the same lead-in fare of £55 from London to Strasbourg is also available on routings via Lille.

You can book with Eurostar from London to Lille and connect there onto direct trains to Nice, Toulouse, Marseille, Bordeaux and dozens of other destinations across France. Again, through bookings for most itineraries can be made on the Eurostar website.

Other Links

The regular direct Eurostar trains from London to Marne la Vallée-Chessy are operated mainly for visitors heading to the Disneyland complex east of Paris, but can also be used to link to and from connecting TGV services.

And we have found Eurostar useful for short hops on the continent. For example, Eurostar trains can be used to travel from Lille to both Brussels and Calais.

Rail pass options

Interested in seeing a full list of rail pass options? Visit our booking partner, Rail Europe, to compare rates, destinations covered and see their latest promotions.

The post Eurostar Links: Beyond Paris and Brussels appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Hints of Italy

Menton hints of Italy even before you cross the border, with its bilingual street names and Italian-style architecture. Curiously, the town only became French in 1860, having historically been part of Monaco until in 1848 it seceded from the Principality in a spat over taxes on lemon exports. Menton then enjoyed a brief fling as an independent republic before throwing in its lot with the Kingdom of Sardinia and eventually joining France.

Mentonasques are quick to remind visitors even today that Menton is in France merely by choice, and the town’s window shutters in that distinctive Ligurian green are a reminder that this most Italianate of French Riviera towns still has a part of its heart in Italy.

Menton’s health resort history

Climb up to the cemetery high above the Old Town and you will quickly discover how Menton established its credentials in Riviera tourism. A hundred years ago, Menton was one of Europe’s premier health resorts, with thousands of northern Europeans taking their bronchial bacilli to sunny Menton to try and rid their lungs of tuberculosis. The crowded cemetery, full of those who died of consumption, attests to the fact that a few months of indolence in Menton did not always guarantee recuperation. Russians, Germans, English and Irish share the same burial ground, all victims of a disease that indiscriminately struck down poets and philosophers, counts and colonels.

The pulmonary pilgrims of yesterday have been replaced by a new generation of traveler, often anxious to find the quieter side of the Riviera. Menton is always a great stopover on routes from Provence to Genoa —made easy by the frequency of trains along this stretch of coast. Both westbound towards Nice and eastbound into Italy, trains generally run twice hourly.

Exploring the town

But with direct daily TGV services from Paris (and a useful direct overnight train, too), Menton is a place worth visiting in its own right. Our best Menton days have involved nothing more demanding than wandering around the produce stalls in the Moorish market on the waterfront and then drifting from café to café.

Our favorite local curiosity is the “salle de mariage” (wedding hall) in Menton’s City Hall, which is a striking piece of interior design by French artist and film director Jean Cocteau. Further afield, the attractive mountain town of Sospel is reached by direct bus from Menton. And the stunning Giardini Botanici Hanbury (Hanbury Gardens), just over the border in Italy, which we featured last year on EuroCheapo, are only four miles east of the city.

The post Menton, France: A Riviera gem appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Today I’m posting some “postcards” from the first week of the trip.

1. Vélib’ at work (above).

The good news: Vélib’, the city’s bike-share program, seems to be a smashing success. Bike stations are everywhere in the city, with new pick-up (and drop-off) stations being added frequently. The bad news: I didn’t get to try it out. I will next time, I promise.

I took this photo of my room while brushing my teeth.

2. Hotel “Jeanne Dark”

We’ve recommended the Hotel Jeanne d’Arc in the Marais since the site launched in 2001. We’ve never had any complaints–it’s a cute guesthouse with a “country” touch and reasonable rates. When I stayed on July 25 with my parents, however, the hotel experienced a very unusual power outage. The rooms at the Jeanne D’Arc were without electricity all evening and night, meaning that teeth were brushed and faces washed by the lights from cell-phone screens, watches, and laptops. At 2:45 AM, POOF!, the juice came back on, and those of us with the switches flipped the wrong way experienced a bright, unscheduled wake-up call.

The fish are first presented.

3. Bouillabaisse in Marseille’s Old Port

We took the TGV south to Nimes, and then rented a car and made day-trips around Provence. One of those trips was to Marseille, where we feasted on fresh fish at a restaurant along the (very active) port. Above, the waiter presents the fish before “preparing” them for the bouillabaisse.

The Roman Arena in Arles is still in use.

4. The Roman Arena in Arles

Lovely Arles, in the heart of Provence, was colonized by the Romans in about 125 BC. Many important sites from those Roman days can be visited today and are a major tourist draw. The most popular of these is the town’s gorgeous Roman Arena, built in 1 BC, and still used today for bullfights.

A steep climb up to “la Cité” in Carcassonne

5. Carcassonne’s “La Cite” is worth the hike

Heading west from Nimes, we drove through Montpellier and to the walled Medieval city of Carcassonne. We spent the night at the chic (and affordable) Maison Costes B&B in the town center, but dined in “la Cite,” the town’s famous walled fortress. From the city’s center, the hike isn’t very far, but it’s a steep one. And if you take advantage of the region’s delicious wines over dinner, the walk back—downhill—can be tricky!

Coming next week: Photos from week two!

The post Postcards from France: First week on the road appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Cheers back home

In 1915, absinthe, sometimes known as the “green fairy,” was banned in France. Pernod Fils and Ricard reformulated a drink without the illegal wormwood using less alcohol and more star anise and sugar. The strong liqueur is generally mixed with water, five parts to one. Clear on its own, pastis clouds when you add water to it. Use ice with caution as the cubes have a tendency to crystallize the pastis.

Though popular all over France, pastis is heavily associated with the lifestyle of southeastern France. You can pick up a bottle at almost any grocery store or supermarket. A 70 cl bottle will cost about €10.

NOTE: Americans may bring home 1 Liter of alcohol without paying any tariffs or taxes. More bottles may be brought back for personal use, but you will have to pay a tax. Read more on the US Customs website.

While you’re at it…

Pick up a bottle or two of rosé wine. With an emphasis on Mourvedre grapes, up to 80 percent of the wine manufactured in the Provence region is the charmingly pink-colored rosé. And don’t worry about rules governing what months are “okay” to drink rosé… it’s always a good idea, as far as we’re concerned!

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