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Car Hire France
Driving through the stunning scenery of France is an experienced to be enjoyed, and car hire France is a great way to enjoy it. This gives you the time to take it easy and see France at your own pace rather than limiting yourself to public transport. Rent a car France helps you see this beautiful place. France is steeped in history so why don’t you immerse yourself in this history and culture? So, your rental car France hire is an important way to get from the airport, you can make your own timetable, visit the cities and travel to the Capital Paris. Or you can see the grand châteaux in the Loire Valley. Here is our guide to car hire in France.
We advise that you book your car hire France well in advance to secure the vehicle you want at the best rates possible. The demand for France rent a car is quite high especially in the summer months, so decide on what you want soon and compare the prices to get the best deal. Car rental France is easy to do if you prepare.
The Country
France has a diverse countryside, from the main bustling city of Paris to its snow-capped peaks in the Alps to its hot Mediterranean coastline. France has it all – it’s one of the world’s most popular film locations. In a country this beautiful, and with such a great road network, driving is always a pleasure.
France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. The land mass covers 643,801 square miles and it has around 67 million inhabitants. France has many land borders, Belgium and Luxembourg in the northeast, Germany and Switzerland in the east, with Italy and Monaco in the southeast, and Spain and Andorra in the south and southwest. The borders in the south and in the east of the country are mountain ranges: the Pyrenees, the Alps and the Jura, the border in the east is from the Rhine river. France is seen as place for people and holidaymakers wanting to experience a country that has a relaxed atmosphere, great food and wine and climate and scenery to match.
The weather in France is generally cold in the winter and mild in the summer, but you will find mild winters and long hot summers along the French Riviera and in the South-West of the country. The most snowfall is to be found in the Mountainous regions of the Alps, Pyrenees and Auvergne. The hottest months are from July to August. The predominant language spoken in France is of course French.
The French love the sports of football and rugby union and play these in the winter months. In the mountains there is plenty of skiing for this time of year too.
The nation’s capital of France is Paris, which is the largest city in France with just under a population of 2.3 million people and covers an area or 105 square kilometres. Marseille is the second largest city in France with a population of approximately 853,000 people.
Popular Cities in France
There are so many beautiful and picturesque towns and cities in France that draw the traveller to visit and explore them.
Paris
Paris is known as the city of love and one of the most visited cities in the world and must see. You will love a Paris rent a car to see this wonderful place. Be in awe of the most famous painting in the world, The Mona Lisa and the most famous landmarks the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. Take a leisurely stroll along the Seine and visit one of Paris’s iconic cafes. Car hire Paris is easy, and the parking is great for a major city.
Marseille
Marseille is the second largest city in France and the largest on its Mediterranean coast. It was voted as the European Capital of Culture in 2013. Rental car Marseille can be taken from the airport to the city or starting in the city. A must in Marseille is to have a meal at one of the local cafes or restaurants along the port, try Bouillabaisse and Bourride. Bouillabaisse is a fish stew and it has a saffron flavour. Bourride is also a fish stew, but it is flavoured with garlic mayonnaise. Car hire Marseille gets you around after a big meal!
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a popular destination for wine connoisseurs and lovers alike, it’s known as ‘wine country’ and a must see. The surrounding areas are perfect for Bordeaux rent a car. It is home to some the world’s most famous wines Pomerol, St-Emilion, Pauillac and Margaux, and in June Bordeaux hosts it famous wine festival. It’s not just wine that brings the visitors a popular attraction is Miroir d’Eau, or the Water Park, built just over 10 years ago is one of the most photographed sites in Bordeaux. Get rental car Bordeaux to see all of this splendour.
Cote D’ Azur
Cote D’ Azur encapsulates some of Frances’s iconic and beautiful hotspots Cannes, Monaco, Antibes and Nice as well as other beautiful villages and towns along its coast. Cote D’Azur car hire lets you live the high life. These are some of France’s most popular holiday destinations. Sample the glamourous and glitzy life in Cannes and Monaco, or sit back and chill and listen to the jazz festival that takes place in Antibes in July. All of this is best done from a rent a car Cote D’Azur and the roads.
Driving Tips
You will need to know the rules and differences when driving on the road in a France rent a car on your stay. The driver of the vehicle is responsible for complying with all the laws of the road, specifically –
- Purchase a French Clean Air Windscreen Sticker when driving in the larger cities of France. It is legal requirement it’s to identify the car’s emissions. Failure to do is will result in a on the spot fine.
- A high visibility jacket (one per passenger) must be kept in the car in case of breakdown along with a warning triangle.
- French law also dictates that you must have spare light bulbs, headlight beam adjusters. A right-hand drive car on the right-hand side of the carriage way means this could blind oncoming traffic at night. Either adjust the angle of your headlights, or fit headlight beam adjusters to compensate and help improve safety by increasing visibility on the nearside.
- You must carry a personal breathalyser kit with two disposable testing units. Failure to carry one imposes a fine.
- Keep to the right-hand side of the road. Passing and overtaking is done on the left. Where there are designated traffic lanes, vehicles may ‘overtake’ traffic on the right occupying slow-moving lanes.
- While driving on steep hills uphill traffic has priority – downhill traffic must give way.
Tip – when driving in France is at all intersections, priority must be given to traffic approaching from the right, unless there are road signs indicating otherwise. - You must always give way to police and other emergency vehicles.
- Car horns must only be used where there is immediate danger. At night, any warning should be given by flashing lights instead.
- The Drink Driving maximum limit in France is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Police are allowed to make random breath tests.
The speed limits in France are in built up areas are usually 50kph, but can be reduced to 30 in residential areas. Trunk roads are 90kph (unless otherwise directed) in the dry and 80kph in the wet, while motorways are 130kph (unless otherwise directed) in the dry and 110kph in the wet. - Speed camera detectors, including onboard sat nav features, are illegal in France -ensure that you have the latest sat nav versions for your trip.
- The official breakdown service should be used – make contact via orange emergency phones.
- Radar detectors that hunt mobile speed camera are illegal and if found by the police carry a hefty fine or up to 2,000 Euros
- When driving in France a tip to bear in mind is it is illegal to allow passengers to travel inside a moving caravan.
- Child passengers under 10 must use an approved child restraint. A fine is imposed and points awarded for failure of passengers not wearing a seat belt.
It is great to get out on the roads of France. Car hire France is a brilliant way to see this place. The people will help you and the main roads are in great condition. If you have an issue with your rental car France then call the emergency number 112 so you can seek help. Key it into your phone and you will be able to dial at short notice if needed. Rent a car France is easy and low cost if you book early.
Airports in France
France is well connected to the rest of the world via land and sea – but air is the most common way people arrive on this beautiful country. Pick up your France rental car at one of these locations –
- Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris
- Paris Orly Airport
- Nice Airport
- Lyon Saint Expury Airport
- Marseille Airport
- Tolouse Blagnac Airport
- Bale Mulhouse Airport
- Bordeaux Merignac Airport
- Nantes Airport
- Beauvais Airport
- Pionte-a-Pitre Airport
- Reunion Roland Garros Airport
- Fort-de-France Airport
- Lille Lesquin Airport
- Montpellier Mediteranee Airport
- Ajaccio Airport
- Strasbourg Entzheim Airport
- Bastia Airport
- Biarritz Airport
- Brest Airport
- Pau Airport
It is great to get out on the roads of France. Car hire France is a brilliant way to see this place. The people will help you and the main roads are in great condition. If you have an issue with your rental car France then call the emergency number 112 so you can seek help. Key it into your phone and you will be able to dial at short notice if needed. Rent a car France is easy and low cost if you book early.