5 ideas for inexpensive weekend breaks near me: travelling without breaking the bank

1 - Nature weekend: cheap camping, bivouac or campervan just a stone's throw from home

If you're looking for a real breath of fresh air, there's nothing like a weekend in the countryside. Here's a cheap tip: you can hire a van from a private individual.

You can also borrow camping equipment if you don't have any, you just need the basics: a tent, mattress and sleeping bag. If you have a small folding table and chair, even better!

Next, choose a regional park or large lake less than two hours from your home! It will be an opportunity to go on lovely walks and hikes and enjoy stargazing in the evening! Prepare a picnic in advance and a thermos of coffee: simple things are often the best!

2 - Mini cycling road trip

You don't necessarily need a car or to buy a plane ticket to travel: a bicycle is enough! Set off for a weekend on two wheels, following a cycle route or greenway, or just along a river near your home. You can even take the train with your bike if you want to go a little further!

Find some nice places less than an hour away from your home by train or starting from your home, and off you go! Take a minimum of belongings that can fit in a small rucksack or two bike bags and find a small, inexpensive hotel or Airbnb rental halfway along the route.

You'll see, travelling slowly and differently is a way to rediscover your surroundings in a new way!

3 - City break in a neighbouring town (by train, carpool or with your own car)

We tend to underestimate the treasures of cities close to home. A simple weekend trip 1 or 2 hours away by car can be enough to make you feel like you're somewhere else.

For example: if you live in Paris, head to Reims, Chartres, Rouen or Fort Mahon. For Lyon, there's Annecy or Avignon. For Toulouse, Albi, Carcassonne or Pau... etc... for each city...

A few tips for your budget: Choose Prem's or Ouigo tickets in advance if you want to take the train. If you don't have a car, you can borrow one, rent one from a private individual or even rent one from a supermarket, which is often cheaper!

4 - Weekend by the sea or lake

Even if you don't live by the sea or in the mountains, you're bound to have a water sports centre, a large lake, a river or the sea less than two hours away from your home by car or train!

It's the perfect place to relax and recharge your batteries! Depending on the weather, you can go swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing, or just stroll along the water's edge and watch the sunset – nothing could be more relaxing!

Check out Airbnb or Booking for accommodation, or if you prefer camping, look for municipal campsites, which are often much cheaper!

5 - Have you heard of a staycation? Rediscover your own city as a tourist.

What if your next trip was... right there, at home? The concept of a "staycation" is to spend a weekend as a tourist in your own city or nearby. You'll see, it can change the way you look at your everyday life!

Book a night in a nice hotel, with a spa, massages, swimming pool or just a beautiful setting. Go to the market in the morning, visit a museum or take a cooking class. Stroll through the pedestrian streets or just nice streets (check online for information). Treat yourself to a meal at a little restaurant you don't know or a spa and discover your city in a new way! A change of scenery guaranteed !

In summary: travelling on a budget close to home and getting a change of scenery for the weekend is possible! Travelling on a budget doesn't mean depriving yourself, it just means learning to explore differently! So ask yourself: aren't there things to explore less than 100 km from where I live?