Car Rental in France
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 20:08 on 2022-01-21. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
French
Currency
EUR
Country code
33
Traffic direction
Right-hand
Speed limit out of town
80 km/h
50 mi/h
Speed limit within town
50 km/h
31 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Why rent a car in France?
France is a great country to explore by car. From its capital, Paris, to other historic cities, the Atlantic coast in the west, the Mediterranean in the south, and the Alps in the east, you could explore it for weeks or even months without growing bored.
If you want to know more about renting a car in France, don't miss our complete guide.
One-way Car Rentals in France
Here are the most popular one-way rental options for pickup in France and drop off in another country:
- From France to Italy - 366 offers from € 365.66 per day
- From France to Spain - 260 offers from € 94.23 per day
- From France to Germany - 285 offers from € 65.58 per day
- From France to Switzerland - 81 offers from € 71.30 per day
- From France to Netherlands - 48 offers from € 167.50 per day
Top ways to enter France
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport: One of the busiest airports in Europe, CDG offers links with destinations all around the world. Other airports serving the capital region include Orly Airport just south of the city and Beauvais Airport, a small airport in northwestern France about 85 km (53 miles) from the capital that specializes in serving low-cost airlines.
- Nice Airport: Serving the Mediterranean metropolis of the same name, Nice Airport is the largest in the southern part of the country. Other notable airports in the region include Marseille Airport and Montpellier Airport.
- Toulouse Blagnac Airport: Smaller than the previous two, but nonetheless well-connected with destinations around Europe, Toulouse Airport offers access to the southwest of France. Other airports in this region include Bordeaux Airport and Biarritz Pays Basque Airport.
- By land: If your rental car provider permits it, you can pick up a rental car in a neighboring country and then drive to France. Some large airports near France include Barcelona Airport in Spain, Brussels Airport in Belgium, and Geneva Airport in Switzerland.
- By Sea: Ferries arrive from vairous locations including the United Kingdom in ferry ports like the Cherbourg Ferry Port.
Top cities and places to visit
- Paris. Located in the northwestern part of the country, Paris is by far the most visited place in France. Home to world-famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Sacré Coeur, and Musée d'Orsay, it can be explored for weeks.
- French Riviera. Home to many of Europe’s rich and famous, as well as sun-loving visitors from around the world, France’s Mediterranean coast is another tourist mecca. The region has plenty of scenic coastal towns like Antibes, Cannes, and Toulon, but also interesting day-trip destinations like the historic city of Avignon and the impressive Verdon Gorge.
- The Alps. One of the highest mountain chains of Europe, it is also one of France’s most visited regions. The region is naturally popular for its many winter resorts, but most of them can be equally fun to explore during the summer months. The large eastern city of Lyon offers great access to much of the French Alps and is a worthy destination in its own right.
Most popular rental car
The most popular rental car in France is the Renault Twingo, but travelers also love the Volkswagen Polo and the Ford Fiesta.
Driver license requirements
- France recognizes driver’s licenses from all the member states of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) as long as they are valid. Other licenses in the Latin alphabet are generally also recognized, provided that you have been in the EU or EEA for less than one year. If you’re visiting on a longer trip or are a permanent resident of the EU or EEA, you need to acquire a local driver’s license.
- If your driver’s license is printed in a non-Latin alphabet (Cyrillic, Arabic, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
- Similarly, if your driver’s license doesn’t show your photograph, you might be required to have an IDP.
- Even if you have an IDP, you also need to keep your original license on you as you might be required to provide both.
- You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times.
- You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
- Some rental car suppliers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
- There may be additional requirements depending on the car supplier and category, so make sure to check the rental conditions before booking.
Crossing Borders
France has land borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra. All of these countries are either members of the Schengen Area or permit free movement with their Schengen neighbors, so there are no border restrictions in place between France and any of them. One-way rentals between France and other European destinations are quite popular. You can find car rental companies that permit international one-way rentals by entering your car pick-up and drop-off locations on our search.
Many popular French destinations are near the border with a neighboring country (e.g., Strasbourg and Germany and Switzerland, Lille and Belgium, Nice and Italy). Because of this and since there are no border checks, many travelers may want to visit the neighboring country with a rental car and then return to France. However, if you plan to visit a neighboring country during your trip, you should ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it as rules for this vary from company to company.
There are a few car rental companies that permit one-way rentals between France and the United Kingdom (the trip between Paris and London takes about six hours). However, you should keep in mind that the United Kingdom is not a member of the European Union nor the Schengen Area. Citizens of the EU and many other Western countries can visit the UK visa-free, but citizens of many other nations might need a separate visa for each country/region.
Most popular types of rental car
The most popular rental car type in France is an economy, followed by compact and mini.
Top driving routes
- Brittany. A proud and historic region, this Western peninsula is one of the most underrated destinations in all of France. Brittany’s Celtic heritage can be found not only in the still spoken Breton language but also in Arthurian legends and distinct culture and folklore. While very different from France’s southern coast, Brittany’s rugged and dramatic coastline is another ace up its sleeve. Last but not least, the region has some of the best seafood in all of Europe.
- Burgundy. Made up of bucolic farmland, rolling hills, and thick forests, Burgundy is another region that’s a joy to explore with a car. Located just a couple of hours drive from Paris, it is known for picturesque towns like Auxerre and Besancon, wines of Chablis, and the Morvan Natural Park.
- Southwest. Made up of a few quite distinct regions, the Southwest is one of the most diverse parts of the country. This shows not only in different cultures and languages, but also nature that includes everything from Europe’s best surfing waves in Biarritz to the countryside around Bordeaux and the impressive peaks of the Pyrenees.
Car Rental Prices
- Convertibles - from $104 per day
- Station wagons - from $83 per day
- Large cars - from $73 per day
- Medium cars - from $56 per day
- Vans - from $91 per day
- Premium cars - from $117 per day
- Small cars - from $44 per day
- SUVs - from $104 per day
How can I save money on my rental car?
You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in France:
- Compare rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting France is the cheapest in March when renting a car is about 20% cheaper than the yearly average and about 38% cheaper than renting a car in December.
Top 20 Most Popular Cities in France
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Car Rental in Paris from $30.66 per day
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Car Rental in Nice from $49.92 per day
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Car Rental in Lyon from $42.58 per day
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Car Rental in Marseille from $28.83 per day
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Car Rental in Bastia from $44.93 per day
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Car Rental in Toulouse from $28.71 per day
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Car Rental in Ajaccio from $46.88 per day
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Car Rental in Figari from $51.66 per day
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Car Rental in Bordeaux from $12.94 per day
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Car Rental in Nantes from $30.39 per day
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Car Rental in Montpellier from $27.81 per day
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Car Rental in Grenoble from $17.69 per day
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Car Rental in Lille from $39.75 per day
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Car Rental in Strasbourg from $23.14 per day
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Car Rental in Cannes from $37.79 per day
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Car Rental in Toulon from $35.07 per day
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Car Rental in Perpignan from $37.40 per day
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Car Rental in Beauvais from $55.16 per day
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Car Rental in Biarritz from $41.96 per day
Top 15 Most Popular Locations in France
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Car Rental at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport from $26.63 per day
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Car Rental at Paris Orly Airport from $27.74 per day
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Car Rental at Paris-Gare de Lyon Train Station from $24.08 per day
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Car Rental at Nice Airport from $16.37 per day
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Car Rental Paris Porte Maillot from $29.37 per day
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Car Rental at Lyon St Exupéry Airport from $26.60 per day
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Car Rental at Corsica Bastia - Poretta Airport from $44.93 per day
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Car Rental at Marseille Airport from $13.57 per day
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Car Rental at Corsica Ajaccio Airport from $46.88 per day
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Car Rental at Figari-Sud Corse Airport from $51.66 per day
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Car Rental at Bordeaux Airport from $12.94 per day
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Car Rental at Toulouse Blagnac Airport from $20.86 per day
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Car Rental at Marseille-Saint-Charles Train Station from $30.31 per day
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Car Rental at Nantes Airport from $30.39 per day
Map of Car Rental Locations
Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in France?
The cost of renting a car in France depends on the time of year. This graph compares price changes from month to month in order to find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in France
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car in France is January — prices start from $38.05 for an Economy class vehicle. This is 25% cheaper than the yearly average and 49% cheaper than renting a car in the month of July (when prices start at $74.10 for a Compact class). This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. The exact price for your trip will depend on the length of your rental and the number of days until your rental period begins. Just enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see exact prices and offers.
What’s the average rental length in France?
The average length differs from month to month. The longest rental periods are in January — an average of 10 days. The shortest are in August — an average of 6 days.
Average Rental Length in France
What’s the most popular time for renting a car in France?
Discover Cars users search for cars in a lot of locations daily. We gathered this information in order to analyze car rental popularity in France. The most popular month is March, while the least popular is April.
Popularity of Car Rental in France by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldcar | Peugeot 108 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Goldcar | Peugeot 208 | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Keddy | Peugeot 208 | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Keddy | Fiat 500 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Alamo | Renault Twingo | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Goldcar | Fiat 500 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Alamo | Peugeot 308 | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Goldcar | Opel Mokka | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Hertz | Fiat 500 | 3 | 2 | Small cars |
| Goldcar | Fiat Tipo | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
Our Customers Reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.
AP
Greece
Fiat 500
July 17, 2021
Fantastic alsatia
MW
France
Peugeot 208
May 28, 2021
Its : days after returning the car and I still haven’t received the invoice and mail confining that the car was returned in correct confirmation.
I was told it will come in half an hour. It was Tuesday before 10:00 am.
It’s also hard to contact the office in Lyon. It seems that the only available phone number is extrapaid like premium numbers/connections, so contact is limited.
ME
Malta
Skoda Kodiaq
April 18, 2021
South-West France is simply marvelous to visit. You almost wish to get lost when driving around to discover what there is off the beaten track. Never mind the glorious food!!
NF
Greece
Toyota Aygo
October 6, 2020
PARKING IS A GREAT ISSUE
THOUGHT THEREARESO MANY BEAUTIFUL TOWNS AND LANDSCAPES TO VISIT AROUND
KH
Bulgaria
VW T-Roc
September 25, 2020
Very good location.
There is a direct and free shuttle from the terminal to the office of SIXT.
Fast service.
Cars are a few meters from the rental office
CA
United Kingdom
Toyota Aygo
August 19, 2020
Parking in towns is reasonably priced. Tolls can be very expensive. Non toll roads are of course very slow.
City centre hotels charge for their own parking. In Nantes, you have to use multi storey car park for any city centre hotels.
GU
Belgium
Peugeot 308
August 17, 2020
Easy to reach from train staion.
GR
United Kingdom
Renault Clio
August 11, 2020
Lots of interesting places to visit in and around Nice and all along the coast as well as inland. Car hire at airport is quick and easy.
AE
United Kingdom
Opel Combo
July 21, 2020
Make sure you know how to get to return car park and nearest filling station on return.
FT
Ireland
Toyota Aygo
July 7, 2020
It didn't go to Paris, but driving there and parking are very difficult tasks....
LM
Ireland
Citroen C3
March 5, 2020
Pleased customer
SC
United Kingdom
Opel Astra
February 22, 2020
Check in section in airport was closed so had to wander around car park to find cabin. This was confused because we were looking for Ace Cars but the cabin was called Gold Cars.
BF
Croatia
Peugeot 208
December 25, 2019
Everything ok
LD
United Kingdom
BMW 3 Series
December 4, 2019
Paris is very busy as you exit the airport so if you are not comfortable with either the vehicle or driving in Paris this could be very uncomfortable
BC
South Africa
Opel Astra
October 19, 2019
As a complete stranger to the area keep your eyes open to see where to pickup the vehicle.
AC
Italy
Opel Astra
September 18, 2019
Getting in the airport is complicated. While you are looking for the rental cars return, you need to be very careful you don't exceed the speed limit.
There is only one has station where to get gas.
CW
United Kingdom
Renault Twingo
September 4, 2019
Travel a few miles north east of Toulouse to find paradise
PG
United Kingdom
Ford Focus
August 12, 2019
Hiring the car in Nice allowed us to visit Cannes, Monaco and Verdon Gorge. Navigating and parking was easier than expected.
DW
Germany
Opel Astra
August 6, 2019
parking it tough. we rented it to drive out of the city
SM
United Kingdom
Peugeot 208
July 30, 2019
From what we saw of Bergerac city centre it looked very nice, this was through a rainy windscreen 🤣We stayed near chalais in the Charente region, truly stunning and the town of aubeterre sur drone was magnificent!
Top 13 Suppliers in France in 2022
Interrent
+33564120980 / +33180202262
Aéroport de Bordeaux-Mérignac 33700 Mérignac, Bordeaux
Working hours
Mon:08:00-20:00
Tue:08:00-20:00
Wed:08:00-20:00
Thu:08:00-20:00
Fri:08:00-20:00
Sat:08:00-20:00
Sun:08:00-20:00
National
0490273007
ENTERPRISE RENT A CAR, GARE TGV PLACE DE L EUROPE
SIXT
+33389086121
141 Allée de la Chartreuse, 84140 Avignon
Alamo
+33490273007
Gare Tgv Place De L Europe Za De Courtine, 84000 Avignon
Europcar
+330490840574
AERODROME CHATEAUBLANC
Enterprise
0545200101
167 AVENUE GAMBETTA,
Keddy
+330545920202
15 PLACE DE LA GARE
Working hours
Mon:08:30-12:00; 14:30-18:00
Tue:08:30-12:00; 14:30-18:00
Wed:08:30-12:00; 14:30-18:00
Thu:08:30-12:00; 14:30-18:00
Fri:08:30-12:00; 14:30-18:00
Sat:08:30-12:00; 14:30-17:00
Avis
0545698613
Gare Sncf
Working hours
Mon:09:00-13:00; 16:00-18:00
Tue:09:00-13:00; 16:00-18:00
Wed:09:00-13:00; 16:00-18:00
Thu:09:00-13:00; 16:00-18:00
Fri:09:00-13:00; 16:00-18:00
Alamo
0467000014
Enterprise Rent A Car
Working hours
Mon:08:00-17:00
Tue:08:00-17:00
Wed:08:00-17:00
Thu:08:00-17:00
Fri:08:00-17:00
Sat:09:00-14:00
Dollar
+33467396303
Beziers Cap d'Agde Airport, Route departementale 612, 34420 Béziers, France
Working hours
Mon:11:30-13:30
Tue:12:00-14:00
Wed:13:00-15:00; 17:00-19:00
Thu:15:30-17:30
Fri:18:30-20:30
Sat:12:00-14:00; 15:00-17:00
Budget
+330821230498
Bordeaux Merignac Airport
Working hours
Mon:07:30-23:00
Tue:08:00-23:00
Wed:08:00-23:00
Thu:08:00-23:00
Fri:07:30-23:00
Sat:09:30-20:00
Sun:09:00-23:00
Ace Rent a car
+34965233425 / +33185654704 / +18778223872
Aeroport de Bordeaux Merignac, Av. Rene Cassin, 33700 Merignac
Working hours
Mon:10:00-17:30
Tue:10:00-17:30
Wed:10:00-17:30
Thu:10:00-17:30
Fri:10:00-17:30
Sat:10:00-17:30
Sun:10:00-17:30
Goldcar
+34965233425 / +33185654704
Aéroport de Bordeaux-Mérignac, 33700 Mérignac
Working hours
Mon:08:00-20:00
Tue:08:00-20:00
Wed:08:00-20:00
Thu:08:00-20:00
Fri:08:00-20:00
Sat:08:00-20:00
Sun:08:00-20:00