Tips and advice when looking for a rental car in France
Here we have put together some tips on what to consider when looking for a rental car in France and regions/states such as Île-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Hauts-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, Grand Est, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Pays de la Loire, Normandy and Brittany.
Is free mileage / free miles included?
Check that free mileage is included in the rent. If free mileage is not included, check that the number of kilometers in the contract is sufficient. All major companies have unlimited mileage, but less expensive companies may have a maximum mileage per day.
Review the contract & terms carefully
Review and read the rental conditions before booking the rental car. Autoprio.com offers rental cars from several different rental car companies and the conditions differ between the different companies. Smaller companies may have administrative fees to be paid on site that relate to refueling after return. Any fees are stated during the booking. Review and read the contract when you pick up your rental car. Autoprio.com offers cheap rental cars from several different rental car companies in France and the contract differs between the different companies. If there is something you do not understand in the contract, ask someone from the company on site or contact us directly.
Are there several of you who will drive the car? Where are you going?
Extra driver? If more than one person is driving the car, this must be stated at the time of booking or at the company upon arrival. Remember that there may be restrictions on driving the car to other countries and taking the car from or to islands such as Corsica, Oléron, Ré, Noirmoutier, Belle Île, Île d’Yeu, Île de Groix, Île de Porquerolles and Île du Levant.
Refuel the car before returning it
Different companies have different fuel conditions. If the car is to be refueled before return, do so to avoid extra fees from the rental car company. Some smaller companies have an administrative fee for refueling the car if it is to be left empty, which is stated in the conditions but not always in the total price. Look extra carefully at the refueling regulations! If the company has 'Pick up full, drop off empty' then there may be an administrative fee for refueling. Any fee is stated during the booking. It is often the cheaper companies that have 'Pick up full, drop off empty'.
Book as early as possible
Book as early as possible, it will usually be more expensive if you wait. In large cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice, Nantes, Strasbourg, Montpellier, Bordeaux and Lille, prices often rise the later you book. It can also be difficult to find cars at major airports such as Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris Orly Airport, Paris-Le Bourget Airport, Marseille Provence Airport, Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport, Lyon-Bron Airport, Toulouse Blagnac Airport, Nice Airport, Nantes Atlantique Airport and Strasbourg Airport, if you wait too long.
Compare prices from several companies and book the rental car on the Internet
Searching and booking car rental on the Internet becomes cheaper and it is easier and takes less time. Compare many companies and sites to find the best price. Autoprio.com compares several companies at the same time in a single search via Cartrawler. We do not own any cars but only compare prices from different companies such as e.g. Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, Thrifty, National, Enterprise, Alamo and Dollar, etc.
Do a quick inspection upon pickup
Inspect and examine the rental car when you pick it up. Check that all damages, scratches and dents are included in the condition report. Check how big the deductible is! What often differentiates between smaller, cheaper companies in France and larger global companies is the amount of the deductible. Also read the conditions carefully when it comes to how the car is to be returned. Smaller local companies may have an administrative fee if the car is to be returned with an empty tank. Any fee is stated in our terms and conditions when you apply.
Frequently asked questions about car rental & renting a car in France
How much does it cost to rent a car in France?
Renting a small car in France costs from about € 14 per day and up, depending on the season and supply (2024). Renting a normal-sized car costs from about € 32 / day. Larger cars, luxury cars, vans and moving cars cost more. How much it costs to rent a car depends on the time of year, range of cars, country and what type of car you plan to rent. Sometimes you can find a cheaper rental car depending on the season. In the majority of cases the rental price includes collision damage waiver, unlimited mileage, airport fee, tax, breakdown assistance and third party liability protection. Please note that the costs included may vary depending on the car rental company and destination country. The car hire company may also choose to ask you for a deposit or excess at the rental desk. Make sure to check the rental conditions at the time of booking. The price for the rental car shown is per day and is based on a weekly all inclusive rental for 7 days. The offer can be changed or removed at short notice by the various rental companies.
What are the most popular car rental locations in France?
Based on searches on autoprio.com, the most popular cities to rent a car in France are Lyon, Strasbourg, Nantes, Rennes, Montpellier, Paris, Le Havre, Saint-Etienne, Marseille, Lille, Cergy-Pontoise, Nice, Reims, Bordeaux and Toulouse. The most popular airports are Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport, Paris-Le Bourget Airport, Paris Orly Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Lyon-Bron Airport and Marseille Provence Airport.
How much do you charge for excess in France?
The excess amount depends on the car hire company and the rented vehicle and it will be refunded within 10-28 days after the rental if there has been no damage. Cartrawler offer damage refund insurance in association with Autoprio.com insurance partners, which will allow you to claim for reimbursement in the event that you have been charged for collision damage or theft. This damage refund insurance can be purchased at the time of booking.
Do I need an international driver’s licence in France?
If your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet (i.e. Arabic, Greek, Russian or Chinese) you will need to bring an international driving licence and your domestic licence in France. If you are renting abroad (outside your country of residence, or outside where your license was issued), an international drivers licence is usually required regardless of the alphabet. International driver’s licences must be accompanied by the original domestic licence of the driver.
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in France?
On average, a normal-sized rental car in France costs approx. € 224 per week (€ 32 per day). A smaller rental car costs approx. € 98 per week. Best prices can be found in major cities such as Nantes, Strasbourg, Lille, Lyon, Montpellier, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Paris and Toulouse. The price for the rental car shown is based on a weekly all inclusive rental for 7 days. The offer can be changed or removed at short notice by the various rental companies. Do a search with Autoprio.com and easily see all current prices for rental cars right now.
How can I find car rentals near me in France?
Do a search for the city, island or airport closest to you in France. A search for country or e.g. island in France lists the largest airports like Lyon-Bron Airport, Toulouse Blagnac Airport, Strasbourg Airport, Paris-Le Bourget Airport, Nice Airport, Paris Orly Airport, Nantes Atlantique Airport, Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Marseille Provence Airport. Then take a look at our map of cheap car hire companies to find the best rental cars near you.
How much does it cost to rent a cargo van in France?
How much it costs to rent a van, moving truck or small truck in France depends on the time of year and the range of models in different cities and airports. In France you can find a smaller truck or van from about € 64 / day, medium truck from about € 83 / day, large van from about € 96 / day.
Can I book without a credit card in France?
Yes. You can make a booking without a credit card with Autoprio.com in France. Note that, even if you choose to pay by debit card, you will have to provide a valid credit card in the driver’s name at the time of pick-up since the rental agent requires a credit card from which to take the rental deposit. Credit cards accepted for pick-up are MasterCard, Visa, and in some cases American Express.
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in France?
On average, a normal-sized rental car in France costs approx. € 896 per month (€ 32 per day). A smaller rental car costs approx. € 392 per month. The best prices can be found in the largest cities such as Nantes, Strasbourg, Lille, Lyon, Montpellier, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Paris and Toulouse. The price for the rental car shown is based on a monthly all inclusive rent for 28 days. The offer can be changed or at short notice completely removed by the various car rental companies. Larger cars, luxury cars, vans and moving cars cost more.
Are there any cross-border charges if you want to leave France?
The car rental agents like Budget, Europcar, Sixt, Thrifty, Hertz, Avis and National may choose to charge you for cross-border travel. Any fees will need to be paid at the rental desk in France in local currency. We will state whether cross-border travel is allowed and in which countries at the time of booking under rental conditions at Autoprio.com.
What is the best rental car company in France?
Based on ratings and reviews on autoprio.com, the best car rental companies in France are Budget, Europcar, Sixt, Thrifty, Hertz, Avis and National. You can find these car hire companies in cities like Nantes, Strasbourg, Lille, Lyon, Montpellier, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Paris and Toulouse.
Are there extra charges for drop-off at a different location in France?
Yes, in most cases the car rental agents like Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Avis and Budget will charge an extra fee if you wish to return the vehicle at a different location in France. We will clearly state whether the one-way fee is included in the rental price or what additional cost may arise at the time of booking at Autoprio.com.
What is the cheapest car rental company in France?
In the past 14 days, the cheapest rental cars were found on Autoprio.com at Rentacar, ADA, Nomadcar, King Rent, Citer, TravelCar, Autoclick and Key and Go in cities like Nantes, Strasbourg, Lille, Lyon, Montpellier, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Paris and Toulouse, etc and at airports like Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport, Paris-Le Bourget Airport, Paris Orly Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Lyon-Bron Airport and Marseille Provence Airport, etc. In the larger cities you can find a rental car for € 14 - 32 per day.
How much does it cost to rent a minibus in France?
How much it costs to rent a 9-seater minibus in France depends on the time of year, the supply of buses in different cities such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Montpellier, Nantes, Nice and Toulouse etc. In France you can find a 9-seater minibus from about € 54 / day. Do a search with Autoprio.com and easily see all current prices for minibuses right now. The price for the minibus shown is per day and is based on a weekly rental for 7 days. The offer can be changed or removed at short notice by the various rental companies.
Which costs are included in the rental price in France?
In the majority of cases the rental price includes collision damage waiver, unlimited mileage, airport fee, tax, breakdown assistance and third party liability protection. Please note that the costs included may vary depending on the car rental company and destination. The car hire company may also choose to ask you for a deposit or excess at the rental desk in France. Make sure to check the rental conditions at the time of booking at Autoprio.com.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in France?
Most car hire companies have a minimum age limit of 21 years for rentals. However, requirements may vary depending on the car rental company and destination country. Please note that there may be additional charges if the main driver is under 25 or over 75 years old to cover the extra insurance cost. Any additional fee will be mentioned at the time of booking under summary of charges before you confirm the reservation at Autoprio.com.
Car rental where every cost is included, no hidden fees and free cancellations/amendments up to 24-48 hours before you are supposed to pick up the car. An easy and safe booking of rental cars online. Autoprio.com can offer rental cars in cities, ferry terminals, travel centers and airports in France.
Here you can compare rental cars and hiring of vehicles from several companies in cities in France. Look for and find the best prices on car rental. Search for and book directly in cities such as, Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice, Nantes, Strasbourg, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Lille. We list prices from companies that are safe and quality assured so that there will not be any problems when you want to pick up your car.
Facts about France
France is a country with approximately 64,768,000 inhabitants and is located in Europe. The capital is Paris which has 2,138,600 inhabitants. Total surface/area 547,030 km² / 211,209 mi². It is the 3th largest country on Europe when it comes to inhabitants and the 3th largest regarding the surface. Other names for this country is République Française, Republic of France. It consists of thirteen regions/states/counties and the largest are Île-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Hauts-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, Grand Est, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Pays de la Loire, Normandy, Brittany, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Centre-Val de Loire and Corsica. France is the 21th largest country in the world when it comes to inhabitants and the 50th largest regarding its surface area. Sites on internet often have the domain ending .fr. Has neighboring countries such as Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Andorra, Monaco, Spain. Is it included in the price to cross national borders? Usually not, the car rental company may charge a fee to cross national borders to Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Andorra, Monaco, Spain. All additional costs are paid directly at the rental desk in the local currency, Euro (EUR). It is stated in the rental terms and during the booking whether it is allowed to cross national borders and to which countries. We give tips and recommendations on activities, experiences, attractions and destinations which you can visit during your stay in France. See the weather reports and find maps. Euro (EUR) is the official currency for shopping and payments. To make a call, you use the country code +33. The top five highest mountains are Mont Blanc (4810 m / 15,781 ft), Mont Maudit (4465 m / 14,649 ft), Mont Blanc du Tacul (4248 m / 13,937 ft), Les Écrins (4101 m / 13,455 ft) and Aiguille de Rochefort (4001 m / 13,127 ft). Different languages that are used are e.g. French, Catalan, Corsican, Basque, Occitan, Arpitan, Breton. Paris (c. 2138600 pop), Marseille (c. 794800 pop), Lyon (c. 472300 pop), Toulouse (c. 433100 pop), Nice (c. 338600 pop) are the five largest cities.
Tourist attractions och activities in France
Do you travel with children and want to visit a Zoo? Aquarium de la Rochelle, Marineland d’Antibes, Parc des Cigognes, Zoo du Bois de Coulange, Parc Animalier de Sainte-Croix, Volerie des Aigles, The vallee de singes and La Montagne des Singes are tropicarium, tropical house, animal parks, aquarium, zoos and terrarium in France. Do you travel with your children? Cap Découverte, Piscine Tréziroise, Walibi Aquitaine, Arènes Louis-Thiers, Disneyland Resort Paris, Parc du Futuroscope and Koaland are water parks, amusement parks, or theme parks. It is often possible to stay one night or more at the vineyard. Rodier Eliette, Brunet Jean, Château Mazeris, Millaire Jean-Yves, Christophe Thorigny, Vrai Canon Bouché, Vignoble Paul Barre. Chateau La Grave, Chateau Franc Capet, Domaine de la Rouletiere, Domaine Le Capitaine, Scea Château Jacquet, Château Lamarche-Canon, Bourillon Frédéric, Domaine Allias, Chateau Boutinet, Jean-Marie Panisset, Château Mausse, Bourdoiseau Freslier Christine, Clos-Vougeot and Bertrand Alain are examples of wine producers and vineyards. Are you planning a wine tour and tasting in France?
Cheap car rental with unlimited mileage in France
There are many different models and sizes of cars to choose from. Fleet list in France: Small SUV, SUV / Jeep (SUV), Economy elite, Small-medium truck-lorry (Small-medium truck), Cargo van, Luxury cars (Luxury), Compact cars (Compact), 5 seater minivan (5 seat minivan), Special cars (Special), Medium SUV, Economy cars (Economy), Premium cars (Premium), Moped, Minivan, Mini cars (Mini), Mini elite, Convertible, Intermediate elite, Fullsize elite, Standard cars (Standard), 7 seater minivan (7 seat minivan), Luxury elite, Hybrid cars, Electric cars, Estate, 9 seater minivan / Minibus (9 seat minivan), Fullsize cars (Fullsize), Exotic cars (Exotic), Intermediate, Large truck-lorry (Large truck), Compact elite. Big cities and popular destinations have more car types to choose from. If you want to rent a luxury car then search at the major airports and the most popular destinations in the major regions such as Île-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Hauts-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, Grand Est, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Pays de la Loire, Normandy, Brittany, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Centre-Val de Loire and Corsica etc. It can also be harder to find and book special cars during peak season, if you do not search well in advance, before you need your rental car.
Cars you can rent in France are e.g. Fullsize cars: e.g. BMW 3 Series, Tesla Model S 75D, Audi A5, etc. Minivan: e.g. Ford Econoline, Mercedes Viano, etc. Intermediate elite: e.g. BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, etc. 5 seater minivan: e.g. Citroen C4 Picasso, Kia Carnival, Renault Scenic, Citroen Berlingo, etc. Mini elite: e.g. Mini Cooper, etc. 7 seater minivan: e.g. Ford Galaxy, Volkswagen Touran, Mercedes Viano, Renault Espace, Compact elite, Electric cars, Special cars, Luxury elite, Economy elite, Small SUV, Large truck-lorry, Fullsize elite, Exotic cars, etc. SUV / Jeep: e.g. Renault Koleos, BMW X6, Nissan Juke, Audi Q7, Nissan Qashqai, Small-medium truck-lorry, etc. Mini cars: e.g. Fiat 500 S Dualogic, Mini Clubman, Citroen C1, Toyota Aygo, Moped, etc. Compact cars: e.g. Renault Megane (2014 to 2017), Infiniti Q30, Citroen C4 Cactus, Fiat 500L, Mystery Car Compact or Larger, Hybrid cars, etc. Intermediate: e.g. Renault Scenic (Snow Tyres), Skoda Octavia, Toyota Avensis, etc. Estate: e.g. Skoda Octavia Estate, Ford Focus Estate, Mercedes E Class Estate, etc. Cargo van: e.g. Renault Master Cargo Van (8m3), Iveco Daily Cargo Tail Lift (18m3), Vauxhall Astra Combo Van, Iveco Tipper, Renault Master Cargo Van (10m3), etc. Luxury cars: e.g. Maserati Gran Turismo, Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, Rolls Royce Ghost, Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, etc. 9 seater minivan / Minibus: e.g. Mercedes Vito Diesel, Mercedes Vito Traveliner, Ford Tourneo, etc. Standard cars: e.g. BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, Renault Laguna (2014 to 2017), Volkswagen Passat, etc. Economy cars: e.g. Toyota Yaris Hybrid, Peugeot 208 (2015 to 2018), Volkswagen Polo (Snow Tyres), Peugeot 2008, etc. Premium cars: e.g. Mercedes CLA, Mercedes C Class, Mercedes CLS, Mercedes SLK 350, Medium SUV, etc. Convertible: e.g. BMW 3 Series Convertible, Opel Cascada, Fiat 500 Convertible, Smart Convertible, Mercedes SLK Convertible, etc. However, in smaller cities and on islands like Corsica, Oléron, Île de Ré, Noirmoutier, Belle Île, Île d’Yeu, Île de Groix, Île de Porquerolles, Île du Levant, Île Vierge, Vierge Island, Île Verte, Île Verte, Île Verte, Île Verte, Île Vénan, Vassivière, Île de Vallabrègue, Île Valhuec, Île d’Urbino, Île Tristan, Île de Trielen, Île Trébéron, Île de la Tradelière, Île de la Tour Fondue, Île du Toro, Île Tomé, Île Téviec, Îlot Tisaoson and Île de Tibidy etc, the range is smaller.
Traffic and parking regulations
Renting and driving a car is usually easy and effortless, but as in all countries there are many traffic regulations in France you must follow. If you are going to visit and drive in large cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice, Nantes, Strasbourg, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Lille, prepare yourself for a lot of traffic, especially in rush hour and that it is sometimes difficult to find parking. Try to memorize the most common parking and traffic regulations before you leave to ensure that your car trip is safe, and to avoid trouble with the police.
Tips on finding rental cars in France
How do you find the cheapest rental car in France? Book your car online, it is cheaper, easier and saves time. Book as early as possible, it becomes more expensive the closer you get to your trip. Book before you leave, especially if you are going to collect your car at an airport, such as Paris Charles de Gaulle Roissy Airport, Paris Orly Airport, Paris-Le Bourget Airport, Marseille Provence Marignane Airport, Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport, Lyon-Bron Airport, Toulouse Blagnac Airport, Nice Côte dAzur International Airport and Nantes Atlantique Château Bougon Airport. When you are searching with us you will find the best prices. To find the best price for a car, autoprio.com compares, among others, the following companies; Payless, Avis, Budget, Rentacar, Citer, Nomadcar, Flizzr, Goldcar, National, Advantage, Thrifty, Hertz, ADA, Autoclick, Dollar, InterRent, Europcar, Alamo, Firefly, Rhodium, TravelCar, Keddy By Europcar, King Rent, Hertz Dream Collection, Enterprise, Sixt in France.
Destinations in France
Compare car rental and find cheap hire cars in regions such as: Cheap Car Hire Île-de-France, Cheap Van Rental Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Rental Cars Hauts-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, Grand Est, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Pays de la Loire, Normandy, Brittany, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Languedoc-Roussillon, Centre-Val de Loire, Lorraine and Picardie. Prices include any airport fees, free mileage and obligatory insurances, taxes and fees etc in France. Find the best hire cars and the cheapest car rental in towns such as: Rental Cars Paris, Rental Cars Marseille, Cheap car rental Lyon, Toulouse, Nice, Nantes, Strasbourg, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Lille, Rennes, Reims, Le Havre, Cergy-Pontoise, Saint-Etienne, Toulon, Angers, Grenoble, Dijon and Nîmes. Cheap SUV Rentals in France. Compare car hire and van rental in airports such as: Compare Car Hire Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Cheap Car Rental Paris Orly Airport, Rental Cars Paris-Le Bourget Airport, Marseille Provence Airport, Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport, Lyon-Bron Airport, Toulouse Blagnac Airport, Nice Airport, Nantes Atlantique Airport, Strasbourg Airport, Montpellier Airport, Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, Lille Airport, Rennes-Saint-Jacques Airport, Le Havre-Octeville Airport, Saint-Étienne Bouthéon Airport, Toulon-Hyères Airport, Angers-Loire Airport, Grenoble-Isère Airport and Dijon-Longvic Air Base.
Car rental companies we compare in France
To find the best price for a car, autoprio.com compares, among others, the following companies; Payless, InterRent, Rhodium, TravelCar, Goldcar, Avis, Hertz Dream Collection, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, King Rent, Autoclick, Sixt, Firefly, Rentacar, Keddy By Europcar, Advantage, Dollar, Nomadcar, Flizzr, Alamo, Budget, Thrifty, National, ADA, Key and Go and Citer in France.
Car Hire & Rent a Car France Customer Reviews & Feedback
