An Iconic French Sandwich Is Also One Of The Best Bargain Meals You Can Buy In France

Planning a trip to France any time soon? There's plenty that you'll want to put on the itinerary: visiting all of the historical landmarks of Paris, sampling from the farms and vineyards of Provence and Bordeaux, and relaxing on a beach in St. Tropez are just some of the must-sees and have-to-dos. Wherever you choose to travel in France, you'll want to make sure that you are sampling the country's world-famous cuisine, while steering clear of subpar restaurants that lure tourists in.

Everyone, no matter where they travel to and no matter what their budget is, has to eat. While it might seem a bit cliché to opt for French food that has become so iconic, such as baguettes and cheese, in reality you can save a lot of money by eating the food that France is well known for. Case in point, the popular croque monsieur which, according to The Lonely Planet, is one of several French food options that's both delicious and affordable.

If you have never had a true croque monsieur, then there is no better time to bite into one while travelling in France. The croque monsieur is a savory sandwich comprised of ham and cheese layered between two slices of toast — or you can add an egg on top to make it a croque madame. Per Love + Paris, some croque monsieur options can be found as cheap as 5€ ($5.80 USD) in Paris, but the average price generally falls between €9 and €12 ($10.43 to $13.91 USD).

Depending on where you travel in Europe, you'll want to make sure you are keenly aware of tipping customs, and whether additional service fees are added into your final check. Luckily, for those traveling to France, travel expert Rick Steves has some advice for the best ways to lower your café bill while dining in France, which could help you save some extra money on your favorite French sandwich.

In the same way that you can find some easy methods to save money on airfare, there are plenty of tips and tricks for not overspending on food while visiting another country. The France Hotel Guide estimates that most travelers will spend anywhere between €25 to €45 ($28.98 to $52.16) per person on daily meals in Paris, depending what they order and what their food budget looks like. This does not factor in the price of drinks or other menus items, which can bump the daily cost closer to €65 ($75.34).

For anyone hoping to spend more of their money on attractions and destinations, no matter where you are visiting, you can cut costs by looking at what and how you eat. While it might seem romantic to dine out at a fancy restaurant each night, try booking accommodations that come with some cooking appliances and make breakfast, lunch, or dinner in your room for the majority of your stay. You can shop for groceries, or even pick up prepackaged meals or ingredients, to whip up meals and snacks during your trip. If you are not a fan of cooking, there are also many street vendors that can be affordable, filling, and tasty.