You've decided that this year you're vacationing on the French Riviera, in Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez and of course Monaco. You've seen so many movies about Alain Delon, Belmondo and Louis de Pins's policemen, and you want to rub a little in the glamour of the who's who of the world.
The French Riviera, with its beautiful cities and villages, spreads over a large area. There is public transportation and trains from city to city, but most tourists use taxi services in the city or rent a car.
Who should rent a car in the Riviera?
If you want to base yourself in Nice or Cannes and go down to the sea and the promenade, you don't need a car. Taxis or walking will suffice. Renting a car in Nice is suitable for those who want to travel throughout the area to the ancient villages, Monaco, Saint-Tropez, etc., without being limited to public transportation or certain hours.
Recommended sites for renting a car in Nice
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.
Where do you rent a car in Nice?
Most tourists who arrive on the Riviera arrive through Nice's airport or through its train stations, so the rental companies are all concentrated at these points.
Nice Airport – The airport is located about 6 km from the city of Nice and is the third largest in France. Airlines from all over the world fly to Nice. Car rental companies are concentrated near exit gates A1 and A2.
The field offices are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. During the hot seasons, they are open until 11 p.m.
Car rental in Nice – tips
- In the summer, the lines at the rental company counters are long, take this into account and be patient.
- The cost of renting at the airport is more expensive than the cost of renting at train stations.
- Check with the rental company representative where you can fill up with fuel in the airport area, so that you don't have to pay an exorbitant price to the rental company.
- Carefully inspect the vehicle inside and out before signing the document in the parking lot.
- Getting in and out of the airport and parking is not as complicated as at the airports in Paris. Be sure to follow the signs for the parking lot, then the signs for the car rental parking lot, and finally the signs for the car company you rented from.
- Train stations – There are two main train stations in Nice: Nice Ville and Nice Côte d'Azur. Check your train ticket and make sure to board a train that arrives and stops at the station where you are renting a car.
- Car rental companies are open from 8 am to 8 pm.
- The car park is located under the station. Train stations in Nice are generally unpleasant at night, as are the car parks. Therefore, if you decide to return the car in the middle of the night, it is worth checking if it is possible to return it to another destination in the city.
Important tips for driving in Nice and Cannes
“In Nice, the traffic signs are only a recommendation” – a phrase you will hear from anyone who has driven in Nice and Cannes.
You are probably thinking now, “Well, it’s like driving in Israel, everyone drives like that here too.” In Israel, impudent people are pushed and overtaken, but in Nice the main problem is ignoring traffic signs. A sign to give way or stop, entering and exiting traffic circles – drivers in Nice drive however they please and you need to be alert, and not think that if there is a sign or traffic light everything is fine.
Rush hours in Nice are like anywhere else. During the summer, many tourists in rental cars arrive in the city, and indeed the city is crowded even outside of rush hours, especially in the area of the White Promenade.
Parking in the city costs money everywhere, so it's worth checking whether the hotel or apartment you're renting allows you free or paid parking.
In tourist areas in Nice and Cannes, and in the beach area, people tend to break into the roads and walk on the road, be vigilant.
There are endless bicycles and scooters in Tel Aviv, and although there are many cycling routes, they prefer to zigzag between cars.
Recommended places for trips on the French Riviera
The Riviera offers sparkling cities like Cannes, picturesque villages with ancient ports and castles, magical hiking trails, the young and vibrant Nice and royal Monaco.
Villages worth visiting:
Bellevue-sur-Mar – an ancient and preserved village where the Villa Carlius is located, a restored Greek building from the fifth century AD.
Saint-Jean-de-Pré – The village is located on a mountain and is very suitable for nature lovers and hiking trails.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence – the artists' village where Chagall and Matisse and many other artists worked
Monaco – a luxurious and luxurious city, royal casinos, the royal palace, charming gardens and excellent restaurants
Cannes – the city of glamour and luxurious chic, luxury brand stores and cars you've only seen in movies, a wonderful beach and a visit to the old city.
Nice Today, it is considered one of the most visited cities in France, and is often ranked second only to Paris. It brings with it the perfect summer vacation, but it also serves as a great jumping-off point for car trips to a variety of other tourist locations in France.