Can a short trip to the South of France be done cheaply?

Question

We already have flights, hotels, and airport transfers booked, but only have a small budget for the 4 days we will be spending collectively in Nice, Monaco and Cannes. Can anyone advise us on how to keep costs down? Thanks.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Yeah, sure it can but I don't think you should attempt to book it ahead! Best to go and look for your bargains.

For example...

Idea 1
Take a tent and camp near the beach or rent a fixed caravan in one of the campsites that litter that coast. Try St Raphael area, Frejus, St Tropez etc. Even at this time of the year it is warm and all of those areas have very cheap off-season places. They are getting very quiet right now so bargain hard. Follow the coast road and your nose from Nice or try checking out Google maps before you go. Look for long busy beaches with tents in the trees just behind them!

Idea 2
With just a bit more cash you could try 1*/ 2* hotels. It'll be busier in the cities than on the campsites at this time of year but it is low season and you can bargain hard. Hotels are cheaper in France than England generally,even after the exchange rate collapse recently. I know that in Nice some will also take 2-4 people a room: they are as cheap and as basic as you would expect but if you want a bed and a sleep then who cares. My guess is that you should get at least few places for > 35euros for a room if you look hard. Usually these are cheaper than Gites.

Idea 3
If you really have no money, sleep on the beach but you have to be careful of night police patrols...

Plus
Buy breakfast and lunch at the breadshop and drink your wine and beer from the supermarket down on the beach - dress nicely and the police won't move you on. Most bad hotels won't care if you eat in the room...