Car Hire France

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Are you looking for affordable car hire in France? Now a day’s it is very popular to rent a car, the majority choose to pick up a car at the airport. With car rental you and your family have the opportunity to take pleasant day trips in the areas surrounding and you will not be dependent on public transport. By comparing prices of car rental from several players, you can save a lot of money. If you prefer to retrieve the rental car in the city center, this is also possible.
The country offers great natural and cultural experiences. It is advisable to book your car rental well before departure, so you’re sure to get just the car that suits you, at the lowest price. In certain periods there may be high demand among rental companies, and the cheapest cars are usually taken first.

France short guide

Car Hire France

Car Hire France

France (64 million inhabitants in 2009) located in Western Europe – and is bordered by Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Andorra and Spain. Moreover, the Principality of Monaco, which is an independent state on the Mediterranean coast, enclosed by France. In addition to the Mediterranean Sea borders the country also to the Atlantic and the English Channel.

France’s landscape consists of lowlands in the north and west, while Central France are covered mountain region Central Massif. In southwest against Spain is the Pyrenees mountain range, and we find the Alps in the east (where France meets Switzerland and Italy). The highest peak in the Alps is Mont Blanc (4807 m).

France has mostly a temperate climate with relatively hot summers and mild winters. Along the Atlantic coast there is a slightly wetter coastal climate, while southern France is characterized by a warmer and drier Mediterranean climate.

Capital of the country, Paris, represents Europe’s largest metropolitan area. There live almost 12 million people here (around 2.2 million in the inner city), and is a major tourist destination with many famous landmarks. Other major cities in France, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Strasbourg and Nice. France is particularly famous for its cuisine and for its fine wines – and is otherwise one of Europe’s great cultural nations. France’s main airport is Charles de Gaulle International Airport (also known as Roissy Airport) – located 30 km northeast of Paris.

RentaCarBestPrice.com has wide range of car hire in France. When ordering through us you are guaranteed low prices on car rentals at most destinations.

Traffic and Driving Tips France

France has good infrastructure, and an extensive network of highways (“Autoroute”). A large percentage of highways are tolls and you can choose whether to pay by card or cash. Before driving in France, you need to be cognizant of certain travel requirements and basic information about road rules. First of all, you must have following documents:

Any visitor must have a valid personal ID card. If visitor is from a country which doesn’t issue ID cards, he must have a valid passport. For tourists from not European Union and not North American countries must obtain a tourist visa. Short term visitors (up to 90 days) must have a valid driving license. Standard European Union (EU) driving permits are valid. If you are not from EU country, you should obtain an International translation of driving permit. For more information, check with the French embassy in your home country before your travel. Licenses must be carried at all the times when driving.

If you are going to travel by your own or rental car, you must have the car’s registration certificate as a proof of ownership. For driving in France, car insurance documents are compulsory. If you are going to rent a car in France, the insurance and safety documents will be provided by the rental car company. If you are travel by your own car, you may have European “green card”.

A car insurance “green card” is a legal document that is recognized in over 40 countries of the world including all countries in Europe. It issued by car insurance companies and is a proof that the minimum legal requirements for third party liability insurance are covered by the insured’s own motor policy in countries where the “green card” is valid. If you are from a country where the minimum requirement for ‘third party’ insurance is in force, you don’t need a “green card”. You must have an insurance certificate to prove that your vehicle is insured.
Except required documents, French road rules require drivers to carry:

– A spare set of bulbs.
– Hazard warning triangle. It must be placed at a suitable distance behind a vehicle if it is spotted on the hard shoulder or highway.
– A fire extinguisher.
– A first aid kit.
– A high-visibility waistcoat. It must be carried so driver can get on immediately if he needs to go out of the car.
– A sticker that indicates a country of car registration.
– If you have contact lenses, a pair of glasses.
– At least two breathalyzers (alcohol-level test).

Speed Limits:
Distance and speeds are given in kilometers per hour (km/h).
– urban areas the speed limit is 50 km / h
– highways speed limits between 90 km / h and 130 km / h.

Rules to know:

  • The alcohol limit in France is set at 0.5.
  • Traffic keeps to the right side of the road.
  • In France, minimum driving age is 18 years. It is forbidden to drive to persons less than 18 even they have driving permits issued by their home countries.
  • Using the horn is only acceptably in an emergency.
  • Seatbelts for a driver and everyone in the car are required.

  • A crash helmet is required for riding a motorcycle.
  • That is not allowed to use cell phone while driving. Hands-free use of mobile phones is not illegal.
  • Children under 10 years must ride in a child or booster seat in the back seat. Babies (under 13 kg) are allowed to travel in the front passenger seat placed in an approved rear-facing baby seat when the airbag is turned off. Children from 9 kg to 18 kg must be seated in a special child seat, from 15 kg to 10 years can use a booster seat with a seat belt or a harness.

  • France has following road numbering: “A” roads are motorways (Autoroutes), “N” roads are strategic trunk routes (the National network), and “D” roads are roads whose upkeep the local Department pays. European route numbers (a white number on a green background) are in addition to the French road numbers.

    Every weekend from 10 p.m Saturday to 10 p.m Sunday, heavy goods vehicles (HGV) over 7.5 tonnes are banned on the French motorways and roads. From early July to middle August, HGV are banned Saturday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., then between Saturday 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 p.m. HGV are also banned on public holidays from 10 p.m the night before to 10 p.m on the holiday.

    It is not allowed the right turns on a red light.
    If you don’t have the yellow diamond sign on your road, you must give way to cars coming out from the right.
    Lights have a yellow phase and switch from green-to yellow-to red. Driver may pass through on a yellow light if he is not able to stop safely. Traffic lights go directly from red to green.
    Parking restrictions are strictly enforced.
    Bus lanes are only for buses, taxis, and bicycles.
    In Paris you don’t need a car; you can use the subway system. But, if you want to see true France in the countryside, you should drive.

    At most airports around the country are branches of reputable car rental companies such as Avis, Hertz and Alamo – where one can both collect and deliver your car rental. In most French cities can also collect and deliver the rental car in the downtown area.

    With a rental car in France has the best opportunities to see more once one takes, and you have to think about public transport options.

    Driving into the center of Paris may be stressful, and it is not recommended for novice motorists. It is also often difficult to find parking space. Should you run into major cities in France, you may want rent a car with GPS – so that one can more easily find the way.

    Bayeux

    Bayeux is a popular tourist destination located west of France, specifically in the Basse-Normandie region. The town is small with only 14,000 inhabitants, but is a perfect base to take exciting excursions by car. Bayeux is by the river Aure – 7 km from the Atlantic coast.

    Bayeux is known for its many historic buildings from 1300 – 1500’s Old Town, and especially famous for its museum where “Bayeux Tapestry” is compiled out. Bayeux Tapestry is a historical document, and shows William the Conqueror his campaign and the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The carpet is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also the city’s cathedral from 1077 is a big attraction. Bayeux has France’s largest British war cemetery.

    Nearest major town is Caen, located 30 km southeast of Bayeux. In Caen, one can visit a museum focusing on WW2 and William the Conqueror’s castle – one of the largest medieval castles in Europe.

    With a rental car one can also drive to the beautiful beaches in Arromanches – located 13 km northeast of Bayeux.

    It is also popular to take a day trip to the tidal island Mont-Saint-Michel, located 126 km southwest of Bayeux. Benedikterklosteret on the island was founded in the year 708, and is today museum. Le Mont Saint-Michel is one of France’s major tourist attractions and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Bordeaux

    Bordeaux Located beside the River Garonne in the southwest of France, and is a port city in the Aquitaine region with approximately 240,000 inhabitants. Bordeaux is famous for its wine, and is also a lively town with many historic buildings from the 1700s and several churches from the 1200s. In Bordeaux has otherwise a wine museum, an archaeological museum, a natural history musum and two art museums. The port area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    In the center one finds a long pedestrian street with lovely shops, cafés and restaurants.

    Airport Bordeaux – Mérignac Airport (BOD) is 11 km west of downtown. Here a number of car hire offices – including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Firefly, Hertz and Sixt.

    North of Bordeaux is the wine region Médoc, which has many famous vineyards. Several of them welcome visitors for tours and tasting.

    With a rental car one can also drive to the small seaside town of Arcachon on the Atlantic Ocean, located 65 km southwest of Bordeaux. Here one finds great swimming with sandy beaches. Another attraction close by is “Dune du Pilat” – which is Europe’s largest sand dune. Dune of Pilat is 3 km long, 500 meters wide and measures up to 110 meters at its highest. Dune located 13 km south of Arcachon.

    Lyon

    Lyon is located in the southeast of France, and is the country’s 3rd largest city. Lyon is situated in Rhône-Alpes region, and is a beautiful city which houses numerous historic buildings. The old town of Lyon UNESCO World Heritage Site – and here one can ia see the city’s landmarks Saint-Jean Cathedral from 1481 and the church of Notre-Dame de Fourvière 1896.

    Lyon also has a number of museums, art galleries and parks, and a great attraction are the ruins of the Roman amphitheater. The city has otherwise good shopping with shops and markets.

    The international airport Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS) is 28 kilometers east of downtown. In the terminal building has several car hire their affiliates – including Avis, Hertz, Sixt, National and Europcar. With a rental car you can visit the small medieval village of Pérouges, located 40 km northwest of Lyon. Pérouges is located on a hill, and all the historic buildings have been restored. Pérouges has a charming atmosphere, and several pleasant cafés.

    Another driving tip is to visit the palace “Palais Idéal you facteur de Cheval”, located 82 km southeast of Lyon. Built reminiscent of a giant sandcastle, and was listed in 1912 by the postman Cheval. The castle is built in limestone, sand and concrete, and measures 12 x 26 meters.

    Airports France

    Agen / Agen La Garenne Airport
    Ajaccio / Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport
    Angers / Angers Loire Airport
    Aurillac / Aurillac Tronquieres Airport
    Avignon / Avignon Caumont Airport
    Brest / Brest Bretagne Airport
    Bastia / Bastia Poretta Airport
    Biarritz / Biarritz Anglet Bayonne Airport
    Bordeaux / Bordeaux Merignac Airport
    Basel / Basel Mulhouse-Freiburg EuroAirport
    Paris / Paris Beauvais-Tille Airport
    Brive / Brive Souillac Airport
    Beziers / Beziers Cap d’Agde Airport
    Carcassonne / Carcassonne Airport
    Paris / Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
    Clermont-Ferrand / Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport
    Caen / Caen Carpiquet Airport
    Chateauroux / Chateauroux Centre Marcel Dassault Airport
    Calvi / Calvi Sainte-Catherine Airport
    Chambery / Chambery Airport
    Castres / Castres Mazamet Airport
    Dole / Dole Jura Airport
    Pleurtuit / Saint-Malo Dinard Pleurtuit Airport
    Deauville / Deauville Saint Gatien Airport
    Saint Etienne / Saint Etienne Boutheon Airport
    Bergerac / Bergerac Dordogne Perigord Airport
    Metz-Nancy / Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport
    Nimes / Nimes Ales Camargue Cevennes Airport
    Figari / Figari Sud-Corse Airport
    Grenoble / Grenoble Isere Airport
    Lannion / Lannion Airport
    Paris / Paris Le Bourget Airport
    Tarbes / Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees Airport
    Limoges / Limoges – Bellegarde Airport
    Lille / Lille Airport
    La Rochelle / La Rochelle Ile de Re Airport
    Lorient / Lorient South Brittany Airport
    Lyon / Lyon Saint Exupery Airport
    Montpellier / Montpellier Mediterranee Airport
    Marseille / Marseille Provence Airport
    Nice / Nice Cote d’Azur Airport
    Nantes / Nantes Atlantique Airport
    Paris / Paris Orly Airport
    Perpignan / Perpignan Rivesaltes Airport
    Poitiers / Poitiers – Biard Airport
    Pau / Pau Pyrenees Airport
    Rodez / Rodez Marcillac Airport
    Rennes / Rennes Saint-Jacques Airport
    Saint Nazaire / Saint Nazaire Montoir Airport
    Strasbourg / Strasbourg Airport
    Toulon / Toulon-Hyeres Airport
    Toulouse / Toulouse Blagnac Airport
    Tours / Tours Val de Loire Airport
    Quimper / Quimper Cornouaille Airport
    Paris / Paris Vatry Chalons Airport

    The international airport Paris – Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Upon arrival hall of Terminal 1 and 2 are the offices of a number of reputable car rental companies – including Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Budget, Dollar and National.


    Popular Destinations France
    Aix-en-ProvenceAlbiAmiensAngersAngoulemeAnnecyAntibesArlesAuxerre - Avignon - Bastia - Bayonne - Beauvais - Bergerac - Bergerac Airport - Besancon - Beziers - Biarritz - Biarritz Airport - Bordeaux - Bordeaux Airport - Boulogne - Brest - Brest Airport - Caen - Calais - Cannes - Carcassonne - Castres - Chambéry - Chartres - Cherbourg - Clermont Ferrand - Colmar - Dijon - Epinal - Geneva Airport - Grenoble - Corsica - La Rochelle - Lannion - Laon - Le Mans - Le Havre - Lille - Limoges - Lisieux - Lorient - Louviers - Lyon - Macon - Marseille - Marseille Provence Airport - Martigues - Massy - Metz - Montauban - Montpellier - Montpellier Airport - Mulhouse - Nancy - Nantes - Nevers - Nice - Nice Airport - Nimes - Paray le Monial - Paris - Paris Orly Airport - Charles de Gaulle Airport - Pau - Perpignan - Pertuis - Poitiers - Quimper - Reims - Rennes - Rocamadour - Rouen - Rungis - Saint Brieuc - Saint Etienne - Saint Malo - Saint Quentin - Saint Tropez - Strasbourg - Strasbourg Airport - Toulon - Toulon Palyvestre Airport - Toulouse - Toulouse Blagnac Airport - Tours - Troyes - Valence - Vannes - Villeneuve

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