Many people in France take their holidays at the same time, usually in July or August. This can make these two summer months the most expensive time to travel, with accommodation prices soaring.
“Don't travel in July and August unless you have no choice – in which case try not to travel on Saturday,” said reader Maz Todd.
However Alison Weatherhead notes there may be deals at the very end of the holidays.
“If you have kids, you can get some bargains in the last week of August before the rentrée.”
Secure free accommodation by offering your services to house sit or pet sit.
“Or why not go for a house swap?” said Ms Weatherhead.
Sites such as HomeExchange and Home-Link offer a way to potentially save thousands on accommodation costs.
Several readers also recommend taking advantage of France’s campsites.
“French state campsites are often really good and less expensive. Check them first,” advised Alison Munn.
“Be very choosy when picking a site; read the reviews, think about where the supermarkets are, and consider if you want beaches or rivers. If the former, how big are the beaches and how far away?” said Barry Carleton, who has been travelling around France in his motorhome for 17 years.
“Do they have swimming pools? Music nights? Does the site have a snack bar, shop or restaurant?”
He said aires (parking areas for motorhome users that are sometimes free and sometimes have a small charge) can be cheaper but “anyone can use them, you have to be careful”. Many aires have a time limit, often 24 or 48 hours, but others allow users to stay for three or four days.
Reader Wendy Johnson recommends Eurocamp, which she books from the UK.
“With various discounts we often pay about £40 per night total for a two- or three-bedroom mobile home in June or September. We often do both months for even more discounts. It is a good way to explore many different areas of France.”
Staying in self-catering accommodation means you can save money on food, cooking for yourself using local produce.
“People come to our gîtes because they can choose whether to cook and eat in, with wonderful local produce, or go out to dinner,” said Tracey Morgan, who runs holiday accommodation in Pont-de-Barret (Drôme).
“Renting a gîte means you do not have to go out to eat three times every day. Book direct since the owner also saves commission and so may offer a better deal than through a site.”
Reader Stephen Baseby said holidaymakers should not be put off by the likes of Airbnb.
“Local authorities have become adept at bringing them into taxation and their rules, and so they are less risky now than some years ago. But do try to rent with a ‘meet and greet’ service to make sure you know how everything works from day one.”
“A lot of holiday rentals charge extra for bedding, towels, use of Wi-Fi, etc. You can save significant amounts by bringing your own,” said Catherine Dekker.
However, she advised that if you have chosen not to hire these items, do not forget to pack them.
“Nothing is more annoying for the people managing these properties than to suddenly be asked to make up beds for a family of six.”
She also advised reminding the property owner of your choice when paying the security deposit, as some may assume you want to hire everything and charge a bigger deposit.
Staying out of town centres and shunning tourist hotspots can be another money-saver.
“We opted long ago to buy an apartment in a town in southern France, walking distance from public beaches (no charges), and local supermarkets (locals' prices), as well as local small shops, and access by public transport from the UK.
“That local rail service also means easy access to many of the local visitor attractions, and local buses fill in the gaps,” said Mr Baseby.
And if you are already based in France, why not hop over the border?
“Go to Spain, which is much cheaper for everything, and with far more beach amenities, more cafes, restaurants and more diverse choices,” said Stephen Meadows.
Avoiding major toll roads is one way to save on transport, said Robert Blackmore.
“Take the A roads not the toll or motorway – most run alongside the motorways anyway and you get to see all the nice little villages and some stunning views while saving on tolls.”
Mr Baseby advises that if you do use toll roads, it can pay to get a toll tag.
Book rail tickets well in advance for the best savingsJeanLucIchard/Shutterstock
“This used to be restricted to those with French bank accounts, but now firms like Emovis will connect payments to a UK bank account and enable auto toll payment in other EU countries.”
Monitor fuel prices carefully, added Andrew Whitehouse.
“These can change day by day and vary hugely between locations. Last year, I saw the highest fuel price and bought the cheapest of the whole trip on the same day.”
If you are planning to travel by train, book your seats as early as possible.
“Booking in advance is usually cheaper,” said Karen Williams.
For French residents, rail operator SNCF offers one annual leave ticket (billet congé annuel) a year, which gives 25% off a round-trip of at least 200km. Partners and children can also use the discount.
When it comes to finding the best lunch spots, copy the locals, said Dennis Maher.
“At lunchtime, look for the white vans parked outside an establishment. The French know good value and good food. Don't be surprised if you can't get a table as lots of French eat at the same restaurant every working day.”
Similarly, James Guthrie advised “be French” when it comes to eating.
“Only buy what you need to cook at the market, drink local wine by the carafe, not bottle, have lunch out, not dinner, and espresso coffee not latte… Get off the beaten track for a bargain.”
“When eating at restaurants at lunch time, always have the plat du jour, which is always a lot cheaper than choosing from the menu,” said Steve Horsley.
Alison Munn recommended using the “Michelin Bib Gourmand for good food and value” and “when buying everyday wine, watch a few locals and copy what they choose”.
The Bib Gourmand is a prize bestowed by Michelin to restaurants that offer the best value for money.
There are lots of free things to do in France with children, “from seaside lakes and rivers to some historical sites,” said Ms Weatherhead.
“Children especially will enjoy being near a river or a lake for swimming,” said Elizabeth Oaten.
Look out for journées du patrimoines, or heritage days, when many historical and cultural sites and museums offer free entry. France’s Heritage Days take place during the third week of September, this year on September 20 and 21.
Many museums also offer free days at other times of the year, especially on the first Sunday of the month. These include the Centre Pompidou, the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée Picasso in Paris and, from November to March, the Palace of Versailles (you may still need to book free time slots).
Year-round, France’s magnificent cathedrals are among the most popular free tourist attractions to visit.
