France is one of the world's leading tourist destinations. You will find spectacular landscapes, museums, internationally renowned cuisine, ancient cities and villages. A trip to France is an experience for all ages. You can visit the capital Paris, There you will find the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées. In addition, you can visit the treasures of France such as Provence region, Loire valley And the French Riviera.
Renting a car in France is highly recommended if you choose Travel through the country's various regionsIt is much easier to reach all the beautiful towns and peaceful villages by car, as public transportation in these areas is scarce and inconvenient. In this article, we will give you, the travelers, tips for renting a car in France – where to rent, how to drive and more.
Recommended sites for –
Car rental in France
Before I review the recommended sites for booking a car abroad, a little tip: book your car as early as possible, which will save you quite a bit of headache and nerves (because prices that climb are the last thing you need before a vacation). The later you do it, the higher the prices will be and the choice of vehicles will decrease. This is especially true during peak periods (holidays, summer season), when there are a large number of tourists and sometimes there is not enough supply of rental cars.
Car rental on Booking.com
Personally, the first website I look for a rental car is… Booking.com. No, I wasn’t mistaken, it turns out that for several years now, this website has been offering not only hotels and apartments, but also car rental services. I like this website because it is very, very user-friendly, the prices are not bad at all, and they can even become even friendlier if you are a VIP customer.
The Francophile's toolbox
On the other hand, since car rental is not a cheap business, it is always worth checking a few more sites to see if you can get the same type of car for a slightly cheaper price. That is why I have created a kind of “toolbox” for myself that contains links to various sites, including other car rental sites.
Car rental in various cities in France
Once you've found your favorite site for renting a car in France, you're welcome to check out these articles to get specific tips about renting a car in each of the different cities and regions of France (because each region has its own quirks):
Important information regarding –
Driving in France
What should you pay attention to when booking a car in France?
- Inspect the vehicle carefully upon receipt, making sure there are no scratches or dents. If there are, take pictures of these areas and show the representative with you the problems you found.
- Check the return time of the car you rented, so that you do not have to pay a fine if you exceed the specified time. Also, some branches are only open during certain hours of the day, so it is important to check the opening hours of the branch where you return the car.
- Compare insurance, don't skimp. Check what insurance is offered by French car rental companies, as well as what insurance can be purchased independently.
Driving in France in 2024
Driving rules in France are very similar to the laws of other Western countries, but like every country, France has its own laws, which are important to know (especially to avoid an unwanted encounter with the gendarmerie):
- Driving is on the right side of the road and an Israeli driver's license is sufficient (note that some car rental agencies will ask for an international license upon pickup, so it is worth checking in advance). The Israeli license must be valid for at least six months.
- Speed – In France, speed depends on weather conditions. In urban areas, you are allowed to drive 50 km/h, on intercity roads 90 km/h (when it rains – 80 km/h), on highways you can drive between 110-130 km/h, depending on the signs (in rainy weather – 100 km/h).
- It is forbidden to talk on the phone while driving.
- It is mandatory to have car insurance, including third party.
- Wearing seat belts in the front and back is mandatory.
- A child under the age of 10 is not allowed to sit in the front seat of the vehicle and must sit in a special child seat.
- There is a right of way for those approaching from the right, unless otherwise marked.
- If you receive a fine, you will have to pay it on the spot and in cash in the local currency – euros.
- According to French law, it is mandatory to have a self-testing alcohol kit in the vehicle – make sure you receive this test with the vehicle when you pick it up from the rental company (the permitted alcohol level is 0.05%).
If you have chosen to leave Paris and decide to travel around this amazing country, experiencing the culture of the towns and villages, rent a car (preferably from a well-known and large agency) so that you can enjoy attractive prices and excellent service and enjoy everything this country has to offer. I wish you a successful trip!
Interesting ways to drive in France
The beauty of renting a car in France (or any other country) is that we have the opportunity to turn the journey between the different destinations into a trip in itself. Here are some good options:
The Route of the Great Alps
If you crave mountainous, green, and snowy landscapes, then the next road, which stretches for no less than 720 kilometers, can present you with a mesmerizing panoramic view of the beauty of French Alps The famous.
Since its completion in 1937, La Route des Grandes Alpes has been considered one of the most beautiful roads in France. It begins on the banks of Lake Geneva and winds its way to Menton on the French Riviera. The road is open from June to October only..
Watch a video of two cyclists who did the entire route alone in 11 days.
Route Napoleon
The Napoleon Route was first opened in 1932, and it actually follows the route Napoleon took in 1815 when he marched from Elba to Grenoble. It is recommended to break it up into sections and enjoy the abundance of views that await you.
The road is lined with countless picturesque towns and villages that certainly characterize the landscape of southern France. On my website you can find A complete article about the Napoleon RoadBut I will still say that it is definitely worth stopping by the town of Castellane.
Castellane, located nearVerdon Mall, is an attraction in itself with ancient cobblestone streets, narrow alleys, and beautiful, elegant squares.
Col de la Bonnette
What's better than bathing your eyes in spectacular mountain views and feeling a great connection with nature? Meet the Col de la Bonnet. It boasts the coveted title of one of the highest roads in all of Europe (2,862 meters to be exact).
This is a relatively winding road and is not necessarily recommended for family trips (unless your children are immune to motion sickness). Experienced drivers may find this road quite challenging.
A bird's eye view video that will give you another perspective on the experience that awaits you.
Through the Cians Canyon (Gorge du Cians)
If you're looking for a road that passes through tunnels carved into the mountain and passes over gorges and waterfalls, then you've definitely come to the right place. The Gorge du Cians is one of the most spectacular and famous roads in France, especially thanks to the red rocks that characterize the area.
Where do you rent a car for the day? Want to go to Shivran and return the same day.
Or rent a shared car
hi my father
Personally, I prefer to use EXPEDIA, where you can usually find the lowest price:
https://bit.ly/2AGwYjb
Best regards,
deer
We rented through economybooking (I don't remember if it was a recommendation here or not). Unfortunately, we discovered a shocking company that is bordering on fraud. We booked a month in advance with my husband listed as the first driver and me as the second driver.
We arrived at the agency in Paris about 45 minutes after the start time and discovered that he had forgotten the license. We wanted to change the reservation to a car in my name but were informed by the “service” center located in Latvia (if that’s what this joke can be called) that it was not possible “because it says so in the agreement” and that it was our problem. When we found the license and called again (4 hours after the rental started) we were told that we no longer had a car.
We had to rent a new car directly from the rental company and over 700 euros went down the drain, not to mention the heartache of starting a trip like this.
To the site's admins - I suggest you remove the recommendation from them as soon as possible.