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I wouldn’t call myself a francophone, I don’t even speak French beyond a few words and understanding written language better than spoken (this is because I speak Spanish). But it’s not by accident that we spend most of our 13 years as a parent summer holidaying in France. I recently wrote about my train trip from London to Beziers. Check it out. We just love France. It’s easy to cross from the UK, there are multiple choices: Eurostar, LeShuttle or ferries. So it’s fairly easy. The weather is nice, the country is beautiful, the food is excellent, even the French people are much nicer that the anecdotes tell you. We absolutely love it and it’s definitely the country I visited most in my life.
Deciding to take a trip to France can be a big deal. Paris or a less-sought-after destination like Toulouse, the goal is to experience the culture that millions around the world dream of experiencing. That said, it is important to be smart about it.
There are a few subtle secrets that can make your visit even better. Like Toulouse luggage storage or simply protecting yourself against unfortunate instances. You can travel like an expert! Even better, you can really experience the best that Toulouse and France has to offer.
Save on Public Attractions
The entire point of visiting France is to visit the litany of attractions available to the public. Every major French city has them, but they can start to add up quickly and become quite costly. Thankfully, you can save by thinking ahead.
Book well in advance, for starters. Look for any age-based or student discounts; these can wind up being a real difference-maker on the bottom line. Attraction passes are also available, allowing you to see multiple attractions for a group price. That can be one of the best ways to avoid spending more than necessary.
Be Aware of Scams and Theft
One of the perils of traveling is running into the less-than-honest portion of the population. There are always people looking to steal and run scams that grift money out of travelers. Being aware of these potential scams is the key to remaining protected while traveling.
Thankfully, the best protections are the simplest. Don’t sign any petitions or take free things. Take the time to think things through. Make sure you keep your wallet and passport in your front pocket in order to stop pickpocketing. All of this is really just very common sense travel stuff and will keep you from facing one of the worst experiences you can think of.
Properly Handling Public Transport
While renting a vehicle during your visit may give you freedom, it does come with a lot of hoops to jump through (not to mention it can be quite expensive). Public transport is often a common option, but you need to know some things ahead of time.
For instance, book your tickets ahead of time. There is nothing worse than assuming you can get tickets for the train only to find that they are sold out for those times. Look for deals as well; booking ahead can be a great way to save a bit, leaving money to be spent elsewhere.
Having said this, using trains in France is a breeze. The rail system is fantastic, I used it multiple times to different locations. I even took the sleeper train that travels from the South of France (Avignon) to Paris. And you woke up in Paris! Pretty amazing if you can sleep, which I couldn’t.
Luggage Storage is a Great Idea
With so many tips to follow, one of the simplest that will pay the most dividends is utilizing luggage storage. Whether you are in Toulouse, Paris, or elsewhere in France, luggage storage allows you to drop off your bags and spend some time getting acclimated while you wait for your accommodation. We used this option this summer actually, when we took the night train, like I mentioned it above. It was cheap and efficient, we had a very good experience at the luggage storage. We found this option just fantastic, because we arrived at 7AM something to Paris and our Eurostar was due to leave at 1pm, so we had quite a few hours to indulge in Paris. We went for a Parisian breakfast and wondered around after that. It was a lovely way to finish our summer holiday.
Even better, most places in Toulouse offer these services. You can pick a trusted location, securely store your baggage, and have a bite to eat or get acclimated while you wait. It is a simple tip but it’s so useful!
The Best Experience Possible
Traveling to Toulouse and France as a whole can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Getting the most out of that experience depends on your preparation. With a few helpful secrets like those listed above, you can ensure that your travels are the best they possibly can be. And those are the kinds of experiences that we look back on fondly for a long, long time.