France

General Info

Coffee and beer can be expensive in France, wine tends to be cheaper.
Markets are excellent places to buy food - fresh and cheap.
Spring is a good time to visit France, however, it can be cold
Avoid cities in mid July - end August as most people tend to head out of town on holidays. Shops and things shut down. Prices go up as well.
Lunch can be the cheapest meal as there are cheap fixed price lunch menus. Make it your main meal if you're on a budget.
If you sit at a table for a drink (eg coffee) it can incur surcharges. Drink at the bar instead
Some train trips incur supplements or reservation fees.
Buy a bundle of tickets for the bus/metro at a station rather than single ones
Excellent public transport including metros in Paris, Lyon, Marseilles, Lille, Toulouse

There are six main rail stations in Paris, each with their own metro stop.
Tourist information on Champs Elysees, the Eiffel Tower, and Gare de Nord.
Use the excellent metro.There are maps available at every station.It runs from early in the morning until 1am. Once you get used to it it's very easy.
Avoid unofficial taxis. Tips are around 10%.
The Louvre is 40% cheaper after 3pm and free on the first Sunday of every month.

Recommended:

Hostels-The woodstock hostel
Camping-Camping du Bois de Boulogne

Highlights:

On the right bank - the Lourve, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees, Beaubourg - a fabulous shopping centre.

On the left bank - the Eiffel Tower, the Musee d'Orsay

Try the boat trip on the Seine. Go to see an organ concert at the Notre Dame cathedral

(Map Courtesy of the University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin)