Ready to hit the road in France? While we love speeding around the country on the TGV’s high-speed rail network, sometimes it makes more sense to head off on your own four wheels.
Renting a car allows you complete control over your itinerary, and permits you to visit smaller towns, tiny villages, and out-of-the-way wineries.
This freedom can come at a cost, of course, especially if you’re not aware of some the basic rules. But with proper planning, you can rent with confidence that you’re getting a great deal. Read on!
Rental car tips for France
1. Book cars early for the best deals
As with train tickets, booking early is a safe bet for finding the best car rental prices. As you get closer to your travel date, availability dwindles and prices get more expensive. (Search for your dates and compare car rental agencies.)
2. Cancel your reservation if you find a better deal
Nearly all car rentals are modifiable and able to be canceled. Thus, once you book it, monitor prices. See something cheaper with another agency? Cancel your car reservation and book it!
3. Be careful with your start date!
Your car reservation won’t necessarily start on the first day of your trip. If, for example, you’re flying into Paris and spending a couple of days in the city before driving off to Normandy — start your car reservation on the day you leave town for Normandy, not the day you arrive in Paris. You won’t be driving around Paris, trust us! You’ll be wasting money on those extra days, and paying for a parking garage!
Cars in France come in all shapes and sizes. Photo: Daniel X. O’Neil
4. Be smart about auto insurance
Call your insurance company back home and your credit card company to confirm auto coverage before heading over. In many cases you’ll be covered — but be prepared to receive the hard sell when you pick up your car. They may also place a hold on your credit card as a guarantee if you don’t take out any additional car insurance.
5. Be wary of free upgrades
Here’s the scenario that we often face when renting a car in France: The representative at the rental agency smiles at us and informs us that they’ve upgraded us to a nicer, roomier car. Great, right?
Well… There’s a reason that the locals tend to drive small cars. Gas is expensive. Streets are tiny and parking spots can be smaller still. And rental car companies tend to think that every American arriving at their counter desires a giant tank of a car. Unless that’s you, feel free to just say, “non, merci”, and stand your ground.
Driving tips for France
6. Watch your speed
When driving around France, pay attention to the posted speed limits, as well as to the “speed camera” signs. In France, the police usually don’t bother pulling you over for speeding — they just send your tickets to your home… or your rental car company. And yes, you will be charged.
7. Careful at the roundabout
Driving in France is fun, partially because municipalities have replaced many traffic lights with traffic roundabouts. While these keep you moving, they can also be a bit dangerous for foreign drivers not accustomed to them. Avoid tickets and accidents: When approaching a roundabout, you do not have priority — wait until the coast is clear before entering.
8. Avoid driving in the “centre ville”
Most tourist-friendly towns in France have popular pedestrian-only center cities (“centre ville”). Only locals and delivery trucks can drive here. Don’t be the car that wanders off course and winds up along a pedestrian-only cafe-lined street. It could cost (or really embarrass) you.
Parking between the vines at a winery in Villandry. Photo: Peter D
9. Parking is expensive in the center
As you won’t be able to drive in the center city, you’ll spot underground parking garages all over the place. Most garages will note the number of free spots with a green “Libre” (available) sign. Center city garages, of course, will be the most expensive. If possible, we’d recommend parking farther outside the center at a cheaper garage, and walking or taking transit into the center.
10. Autoroutes can be expensive
The country’s network of “autoroutes” allows you speed along at a clip, but be aware that these roads (all named with an “A”) are “payant” (have tolls), and those tolls can be expensive! A slower, cheapo alternative are the national roads, named with an “N”. These tend to be more scenic, as well. And if you want to get really scenic (and don’t mind really slowing down), you could opt for the “départementale” roads, named with a “D”.
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Ready to compare prices on car rentals? Search for your dates now, and compare rates between top rental agencies in France.