We're thinking of spending a couple of weeks camping in the south of France this August, on the Med coast. Could anyone tell me how the cost of eating and drinking there compares with say the Vendee? I've heard it can be very expensive.
Thanks.
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We have been all over France, including the Med coast, and spend about the same everywhere. But then, we mostly self cater, buy our wine and fizzy drinks and icecreams from the supermarket and don't go to swanky St Tropez restaurants, which I'd guess would be on the pricey side.
I think you can find all price ranges wherever you go, a small cafe at lunchtime charges less than a high end eatery on the seafront in the evening, just like everywhere else. I'd certainly have a look around the different menus at the front of the restaurant before going in, and take drinks out with you during the day, but I think you'll be fine.
Last July we were down at Roquebrune-Sur-Argens close to Frejus, which is at the Western end of the Cote d Azur, and to be fair it was less expensive than the Eastern end say Cannes, Antibes and Nice etc.
Even comparing costs to our 3 years of going to the Ardeche, there was no difference.
We don't eat out that much, mostly snack bars at lunch time, and maybe just the one slap up evening meal each week.
Along the sea front, at Frejus and St Raphael there are hundreds of restaraunts of all types, and to suit all pockets.
Even our day trip to St Tropez, was a cheap day out, we shared a large Tuna Pannini with Frites, in the park there and had a truly lovely day.
Overall our food spend for the fortnight, worked out less than back home, although that is probably more to do with the hot weather so you tend to eat less, and have more salads etc, and of course the vin rouge is a fraction of the cost it is at home.
It will cost less this summer as € is lower this yr but cheapest places to eat are cafes in large supermarkets like Leclerc or Auchan etc. Look for signs in towns 'centre commercial'. Obviously cheaper still just mostly cook your own food & supermkt prices are similar anywhere in France.
Standardised tourist cafes with pizzas etc are nothing special anyway. 'proper' French cusine has always been more expensive anywhere in France.
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To some extent it depends on which end of the Mediterranean. If you go to Antibes, Cannes, Nice, or Monaco, then prices will be generally just a bit higher than further east, and towards the Spanish border things start to become cheaper still - except in premium resorts such as Collioure.
You can eat at a boulangerie in Gruissan (western end), with tables in the sun, not quite overlooking the Med, but for less than ten euros for two. Ok it's only a slice of pizza, a fruit tart, and a coffee, and self-service, but delicious all the same.
Although not on the Mediterranean, one of our favourite places to eat is the Café de la Paix in St Chinian where you can have a three course meal including wine, for 12 euros. Somewhere on here there is a post of mine where I added photographs. Recently we discovered another gem in Fabrezan which again is inland, but offered the same price but including wine, and was well frequented by the local hunting group when we were there.
There are places to eat which are very cheap - then of course there are the starred restaurants where a meal may cost a small fortune.
Coffees and snacks vary in price - and generally aren't cheap - but you can buy such lovely food in boulangeries so buy there (they often will heat up food for you), and have a picnic somewhere - or if they have tables outside then eat outside as mentioned above. However, if you do have a coffee outside a bar or restaurant then you can site there for as long as you want, and no one will bother you.
For a good lunch then most supermarket cafeterias will offer decent food at modest prices. The supermarket in Limoux two weeks ago had a three course lunchtime menu for just eight euros, and this included a coffee. Dishes were 'ordinary', a salad Nicoise to start, Poulet/frites (chicken and chips), and then a Crème Brulee, but it was very good, the chicken was delicious, and portions were huge.
Rough guide...if the tables outside the restaurant have tablecloths, it will be expensive.
We normally go to a side street to look for a small restaurant/cafe rather than those on the seafront/main street.
The supermarket restaurants are very good value and in small villages, look to see which cafe is full. If the locals prefer it, it will be good.
One of the best meals we had in France was in a place that looked like the original "greasy spoon caff". Everyone sat at a very long table and there was no choice. We had six beautiful courses plus coffee for €9.
We're not exactly sure where we're heading yet Val, everywhere looks so nice we're spoilt for choice. We'll get the Plymouth-Santander ferry,(am I really going to spend £1,000 on a ferry trip?) have a couple of nights on that coast before heading east for 3 weeks.
That at least was yesterdays plan! Kelper has now told us that the weather on the Northern coast of Spain isn't anything like as wet as the climate charts imply, so it's back to the drawing board!
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de gaulle said the rich turn left at orange and the poor turn right so follow his advice obviously he said it with a french accent we always follow his advice - and go right
We have travelled all over France and really the prices vary like they do in any country. Being South is not an issue it is where you eat! We have had as many bargain meals in the south as we have in the north. Wine is cheap where ever you go in supermarkets and we tend to buy ice lollies a the supermarket rather than at a ice cream vender.
However, pitch prices are more likely to be expensive.
Hi
It maybe the restriction of travelling as a family of 5 but I have always eaten and drank very well in France always with great company and mostly with a great view - We barbecue outside the tent / van chatting to neighbours and passers by. We buy good quality meat and salad form the supermarket or market, excellent (cheap) wine and a mandatory crate of kanterbrau (stubby Beers) are always on the chill.
If we eat out for convenience while travelling it tends to be a local pizza restaurant or supermarket restaurant (Flunch or similar) which are great value.
Rotisserie Chickens are another good value option which are expensive compared to UK supermarkets but far better quality.
Our favourite take-out is a steak Americain which is a steak baguette with salad and filled with fries - one of those is normally enough for my wife and I to share and only costs a few euros.
Guy.
------------- It's only an expensive hobby when it's parked on your Drive....use it, love it , live it.
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Quote: Originally posted by ldpdmp on 10/2/2015
de gaulle said the rich turn left at orange and the poor turn right so follow his advice obviously he said it with a french accent we always follow his advice - and go right
Yippee I am officially rich we turn left at Montelimar, so are even richer
As spmeone said above, it's nothing to do with the South or even, I think, East or West. Seaside places near to big towns are usually tourist traps but otherwise it's a matter of strolling around and finding a resto to your fancy.
Even if you're staying on the ciast, there's no reason you shouldn't drive up to a little village in the hills .... assuming you have a car, that is ....
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Southern France Costs
