France is considered to be one of the greatest places for backpackers, and for good reason. Termed by Ernest Hemmingway as the “Moveable Feast”, France is a diverse European country when it comes to the landscape. Backpacking there means you’ll be uncovering many layers of natural beauty, culture, history and more during your journey. This includes hiking trails, mountains, beaches and of course legendary castles. Since you’ll be switching between diverse landscapes a lot, it requires special preparation to deal with such variety.
This guide aims to help readers explore the hidden treasures, which usually get ignored by travelers. In addition to highlighting great places for backpackers to visit in France, we have also covered other important things while keeping budget-conscious backpackers in mind.
Best Places to Visit in France
With so many diverse landscapes, backpacking in France is like backpacking in a variety of small countries. Being a well-connected country, France has a reliable public transportation system so don’t have to worry about missing the opportunity of doing so many different things there. That’s why you can make the most out of your journey whether you are on a short trip or have months to spare. Itineraries mostly depend on how long you plan on staying in the country. Speaking of itineraries, check out some of the best France tour packages if you prefer to follow a well-thought out plan without too much hassle.
One Week Itinerary: Paris, the Loire Valley
Paris, better known as the City of Light, is among the most popular tourist destinations. Loire Valley, a 170-mile stretch just a few hours south of Paris is one of the most beautiful places to visit in France. Although a bicycle or a camper van is the best ways to explore the jaw-dropping valley, you can also hitchhike or take public transportation if that’s your thing.
7 days are usually enough to visit most of the city as well as the Loire valley, but you might want to consider a bike tour if you want to dig castles and explore the ferry-tale landscapes. Exploring Paris in a short time can be overwhelming so you need at least a few days to discover the popular places.
Two Week Itinerary: The French Alps
The adventure-packed French Alps is home to breathtaking scenery and home to Europe’s tallest mountain i.e. Mount Blanc. You have plenty of options to choose from when backpacking in the French Alps, including trekking and skiing.
Two Weeks Itinerary: Provence, the South
The south and Provence is a world away from the north and busy metropolis life. Here you’ll find breathtaking landscapes, olive groves and rolling lavender fields that welcome you to the land of the sun. The regions are considered to be the most relaxed in the whole country and are also home to beautiful beaches.
Ten Days Itinerary: The Pyrenees National Park
Stretching from the Mediterranean to Atlantic coast and bordering Spain, the Pyrenees National Park is a great place for backpackers who love exploring mountains. The park is home to many well-connected hiking trails and small villages, while you’d also come across some big cities. There you can get off the well-known paths and explore wild places that are free of glamor and snobbery associated with the French Alps. Some of the most popular mountain towns include Ayet en Bethmale, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Lourdes, and Arreau.
Traveling in a Budget
France is an expensive country for travelers. You can expect to spend between $50-70 per day, which includes accommodation, food, and transportation. However, it’s possible to live under $30 a day if you are willing to sleep in dorms, eat from open markets, use the cheapest transportation and walk a lot.
It’s better to forget about hotels in Paris if you are tight on the budget and should start looking for backpacker hostels, which cost around $20-25 a night. If you can, pack a quality tent and you get a free and comfortable place to sleep. AirBnB is another option, but it probably won’t work when you are out in the wild. Most backpackers should be fine depriving themselves of luxuries as backpacking is more about managing needs (instead of wants and luxuries).
Safety
France is considered to be one of the safest places to travel on Earth, but trouble can find you anywhere. Follow safety tips just like anyplace else, including avoiding being out late especially in the outskirts of the major cities. Be aware of your surroundings and thieves that try to distract to steal. Hiking alone is also not a good idea to be with at least one other person and plan your route well in advance. Get travel insurance in advance to cover any untoward incidents that might happen during the journey.
When and How to Travel in France?
You’d have to explore to find peaceful spots, especially in the summertime and around beaches. Winters in the north can be brutally cold, but you’ll still see a crowd of tourists in the mountains. It totally depends on what you plan on doing during the trip as there is something awesome to do the year around.
With that being said, you should avoid arriving in August if hot temperatures and overcrowded cities are not your things. Many travelers find spring the perfect time to arrive in France when the temperatures are comfortable and mild and the landscape starts to reveal its true beauty.
France is a well-connected country and you can find reliable transportation to most cities. The difference in the cost of traveling by train can be staggering if you know when to book a ticket. You can also hire a campervan, but that’s really not what most backpackers are looking for.
Camping in France
France might be a great country to camp, especially in rural areas, but wild camping is prohibited in most European countries. Although many landowners would tolerate wild camping if you are far away from tourist sites, you still cannot light up a fire and have to leave before 9 AM the next day.
You can’t just pinch your tent anywhere. You can only camp on private land (of course after the owner’s permission). Camping under the Eiffel Tower would cost you a penalty of around 1,500 Euros so try places like the local church when in and around the cities.
Trekking and Hiking in France
France is a great country for trekkers and full of hiking trails in the Pyrenees and the Alps. Known as GR hikes, some of them can take months to finish. If you are the kind of person that likes hiking for months while stopping in small villages that you’d find yourself right at home. Early summer and late spring are considered to be the best times to arrive for trekking and hiking in France while hiking in the south are possible any time of the year. Some of the best hikes in France include:
- Tour Du Mont Blanc
- GR 20 Corsica
- GR 4: Verdon Gorge
- GR5: Grand Traverse des Alpes
- Walkers Haute Route
Conclusion
Backpacking is France, especially on a budget is not an easy feat, but it’s certainly possible. Backpacking is the way to go if you want an exciting and budget-friendly journey in France. Not only you get to meet the locals and learn the culture first hand, but you also experience the vibrant country the way it’s meant to be. It’s best to plan a comprehensive itinerary well in advance and be prepared with all the things you might need throughout your journey.
Hiring a bicycle for a day or two is probably the best and most cost effective option if you plan on exploring only a few places or concentrating on one region. For larger distances, overnight trains are more cost-effective than fast TGV lines, especially if you book in advance. Hiring a bicycle or walking, shopping and eating at the outdoor markets and skipping the clubs are some of the great ways of cutting cost. However, make sure to get travel insurance before you leave so you are covered against accidents and other untoward incidents.