Did your trip to France start in Bordeaux? Welcome to the wine capital of France. Just make sure to drink plenty before you head to the nearest car rental agency!
As much as we are accustomed to the negative travel habits of Israelis, the French are no exception, and certainly not in major cities. If your goal right now is Stroll around BordeauxI would be happy to give you plenty of tips that don't require a car at all, and you can easily rely on public transportation. But if you planned to dedicate the The trip to the Dordogne region And for that you need a car, so the following guide is especially for you.
On my website you will find a variety of information on a wide range of topics that will help you plan your next trip to France. Along with the information here, you will find A comprehensive guide for travelers in France at the following link.
Recommended car rental sites in Bordeaux
Booking.com
Personally, the first site I look for a rental car is…Booking.com. No, I wasn't confused, it turns out that for several years now you can find not only hotels and apartments but also car rental services on this site. I like this site 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 of Booking.com. So if you are looking for a car to rent, this is the site where I would start.
Click here to rent a car from Booking.com
Car rental through rentalcars.com
The site rentalcars.com Owned by the well-known travel company booking.com, you know this is a reliable car rental service. In fact, this site connects you to different car rental companies with the click of a button, so you can review the offers and take the car that best suits your style, budget, and stay in Paris.
The car rental booking terms are flexible, and you can cancel or change most types of bookings for free up to 48 hours before picking up the car. Among the companies from which you can rent a car through the website: Avis, Sixt, Europcar and more.
Click here to rent a car in Paris from rentalcars.com
Car rental in Paris with Economy Bookings
A large website that allows you to compare prices between well-known (and lesser-known) car rental companies, and find the best deal for renting a car in Paris. The website offers car rentals through 800 different companies, so you can probably find something that suits your needs. Economy Bookings offers car rentals in more than 180 countries around the world. Among the car rental companies here you can find Hertz, Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Sixt and more.
Click here to rent a car in Paris through Economy Bookings
Other car rental companies
Over the years, I have rented a car quite a few times in France (and in Paris, of course) and over the years I have created a sort of “toolbox” of websites where I check rental prices from different companies.
I have compiled all these sites on this page. The Francophile's toolbox And I highly recommend going to each of these sites and checking, because there are often differences between the prices you get on each site.
Driving tips in Bordeaux
As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, I will also mention at the end – it is recommended to avoid renting a car in Bordeaux just to visit the city itself. Public transportation is excellent, convenient, and accessible.
The city center is home to most attractions, but it is important to remember that it is characterized by a severe lack of parking, and paid parking spaces are often very expensive. To avoid delays and frustration, it is recommended to park in one of the public parking lots outside the center, such as P+R (Park & Ride). These parking lots provide affordable parking, with easy access to public transportation to the city center.
Also, be aware that the tourist center, like many cities in France, is an ancient area that was not originally designed for heavy traffic. You may find yourself driving through narrow alleys. The headaches of city driving can be left behind – in France, it’s best to simply enjoy the experience.
Finally, as in any economic city, rush hour is part of the daily routine. It is recommended, if possible, to plan your departure from Bordeaux for the early morning hours. Starting at 8:00 AM, traffic becomes particularly busy.
There are also heavy traffic jams in the afternoon, so it's worth taking this into account when planning your trips in the city.
The center of Bordeaux has restricted traffic zones, or “Zones à Trafic Limité” (ZTL), where only authorized vehicles are allowed to enter. Driving in these areas without authorization can result in fines, so it is recommended to check with up-to-date maps to ensure that you are not entering ZTL zones, especially when using GPS navigation.
Bordeaux is a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly city, and the center is equipped with wide bike paths and spacious sidewalks. If you were planning to visit the main attractions, consider leaving your car in the parking lot and enjoying a bike or foot tour - an easy and fun way to get around the city and avoid the crowds and the hassle of finding parking.