Your Guide to Renting a Car in France

Discover Carsis my favorite site for comparing rentals. It has the biggest selection, meaning you’re more likely to find an affordable car with the features you want near you. It also provides call-out boxes with key information. Check fuel, prepayment, air conditioning, and transmission type for each vehicle.

RentalCars.comis another great car rental site to use in France. One of my favorite aspects of this site is the green call-out box regarding which fees the sticker price covers. Note that the site automatically sorts cars by which are “recommended,” but you can change this.

Kayakis a useful site to compare for deals. Its selection is generally smaller than Discover Cars’ or Rentalcars.com. However, it has useful features such as a price prediction to let you know whether to book now or wait. 

Do You Need a Rental Car in France?

You may need a rental car in France if you are traveling to rural areas or if you need flexibility in your schedule. The French train network is reliable and extensive. However, finding taxis to get from the nearest station to your destination can be difficult. Bus services outside of Paris can help you reach more remote areas. 

Families traveling together and people with disabilities should consider renting a car in France. This is also true for those with limited time. Other ways of getting around France can take significant time and energy, particularly if you’re not traveling between major hubs. 

Rental Car Requirements for France

🚘 Driving Age – The minimum driving age in France is 18. However, French rental car companies generally require drivers to be at least 21. Others have a minimum age of 25. Verify policies before booking.

🪪 License Requirements – You can drive on an American license for up to 90 days. France also requires a license when renting a car. Most rental companies will require a translated, notarized copy of your license. Alternatively, companies may ask for an international driving permit. 

💳 Payment – You need a credit or debit card to rent a car. Some companies require total or partial prepayment and a deposit.

🚗 Car Insurance – France insures cars rather than drivers. Car rental companies include the minimum required insurance in their charges. This is unlimited third-party liability insurance. Check the glove compartment for a “certificat d’assurance,” or proof of coverage, before leaving with your rental car.

🔧 Additional Insurance – Homeowners insurance may provide additional coverage for roadside assistance, theft, or medical expenses. Credit cards may also do this. Check before purchasing coverage.

👉 Pro Tip: Check out policies through VisitorsCoverage.com if you do not have additional insurance. These policies are generally more reasonable than those offered by rental companies. 

How Much Do Rental Cars Cost in France?

The average cost for a five-seat car in France is anywhere from $40 – $240 a day. This is with a manual transmission and limited mileage. It includes third-party liability insurance. 

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you visit. Cars are significantly more expensive in summer, particularly if you are renting a car in Paris. Larger cars will cost more, but you can often find deals on smaller cars. Features like air conditioning will increase the price.

🚗 Compare rental car prices for your dates by searching these sites: 

• Discover Cars
• Kayak.com
• RentalCars.com

11 Tips & Things to Know Before Renting in France

Tip #1 – Make a Gas Budget

Plan for high gas prices throughout France. Gas prices in Paris are $5.54 a gallon as of January 2024. [ Source] Keep in mind that France uses the metric system. Posted prices for gas are in euros per liter, not dollars per gallon, and so gas may seem more reasonable than it is.

Tip #2 – Manual Transmissions Are Standard

French cars famously have manual transmissions (stick shifts). This is starting to change, but manual transmissions are still standard for most rentals. Automatic transmissions generally cost more. However, an automatic may be a better choice for city driving, even if you’re comfortable driving a manual. 

Booking cars through international sites can help you filter cars by transmission type. 

Tip #3 – Plan for City Parking

Parking in big French cities, especially Paris, can be tricky. Planning makes this much simpler. Look for underground parking lots to keep your vehicle safe. Street parking is generally not your best option as protestors and vandals often key cars in Paris or even break windows.

By the way, if you’re planning on heading through Paris, be sure to check out my full guide to how to drive a car in Paris.

Tip #4 – Check Reviews Before Booking

Rental car companies notoriously overcharge when it comes to fees. Many visitors have encountered this in France. [ Source] You may find these hard to dispute after your rental, particularly if your French is limited. Read reviews carefully before booking to ensure other visitors have not encountered issues. 

👉 Pro Tip:Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com have strong review sections that break down ratings by category.

Tip #5 – Ensure You Meet Company Requirements

France doesn’t have general guidelines for renting cars. Instead, you’ll find that each company has different age and license requirements. For example, some require you to have had your driver’s license for more than a year. Others won’t accept non-EU licenses. Using an international rental site can help you avoid the latter. 

Tip #6 – Take Note of the Type of Service Provided at Each Company

French rental car companies are increasingly offering counter-free service. This lets you book a car online, then find it in a parking garage and open it using an app. 

However, I only recommend this type of service if you speak strong or fluent French and can contact customer service if need be. Otherwise, check company information to ensure there will be an attendant at the garage.

Tip #7 – Rent Outside of Paris When Possible

Paris driving can be an enormous waste of time. I once rented a car at the Louvre, then spent two hours trying to get out of the city. I recommend taking public transportation outside of the city or to outlying neighborhoods if possible. Then, rent a car from there. These agencies usually have more reasonable prices, as well. 

Tip #8 – Verify What’s Included in the Price

Make a list of what you need for driving in France. Then, filter your car rental results based on these requirements. These can be “wants” like air conditioning. However, don’t forget to add “needs.”

For example, Some roads require snow chains if you plan on driving in mountain areas in the winter. Many rental agencies will include these for a small fee.

Tip #9 – Check Documents Before Driving

French law requires drivers to have documents with them at all times. These include the green “certificat d’assurance,” or proof of insurance. If you have a foreign license, bring a notarized translation from the last three months or an international driving permit.

Tip #10 – Know the Rules of the Road

French driving laws are fairly strict, and punishments can be harsh. Verify differences between French rules of the road and those in your own country. Realize that your instincts may fight against these. 

After years in France, I still have trouble letting cars merge from the right. However, cars on the right have the right of way in France. 

Tip #11 – Get an International Driving Permit

Not all French rental companies require an international driving permit. However, many will. And it’s better to be prepared. Technically, you need either an international permit or a notarized translation of your license to rent a car. The latter must be done within 90 days of your rental. An international permit is generally cheaper and easier.

FAQs

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Renting a car in France may seem intimidating. But with planning, it’s one of the best ways to see the country. Rent a car to help you visit the best towns in France!

(Featured Image Credit: ArDanMe / Shutterstock)