GBP (£)
    • Customer ratings 8.8 / 10
  • Quick and easy service

Car hire France

Save time and money. We compare the offers of car rental companies in France on your behalf.

Enter city or airport code
- days
I live in:
Why book with us?
  • Free cancellation Up to 48 hours prior to the scheduled pick up time
  • Best price guarantee Have you found a better price? Let us know and we will make you a better offer.
  • 24000+ pick-up locations Locations around the world
Global Sale!
Take advantage of discounts up to 20% from various rental companies - Valid until May 1, 2025
We compare all well-known suppliers

Car hire France

121CarHire.com France is an independent car hire comparison site. Our system compares prices from well-known car hire companies. As a customer, you can always reserve your hire car through us at a competitive rate.

Recent reviews

Our customers rate us a 8.8/10 out of 250

When to book a rental car in France

Car hire France

Location information for France

France is best explored by rental car. 121CarHire.com has over 710 pick-up locations in France. This means there is always a pick-up location close to your destination.

It is a pleasure to drive in all areas of France, apart from maybe central Paris which can be very busy. But the romantic chateaux of the Loire, the rustic vineyards of the Dordogne, the lofty Alpine trails, or the dazzling Riviera beaches are just a few examples of some fabulous places to visit. There is something for everyone in France and a car is the best way to see as much of it as you can.

Transport

[transport]

Charles de Gaulle International Airport (also known as Roissy), situated to the northeast of Paris, is the main gateway. Other main airports include: Paris-Orly, Lille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice and Toulouse. France is also served by train and ferry from the UK, but it is best to fly here and pick up a pre-booked vehicle at the airport. While France has excellent public transport, it is a large country and the only real way to cover a lot of ground is with car rental in France.

Car Hire France

All major companies are represented at the main French airports across the country, including Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Avis. There are also lots of railway station, town and city depots spread across France which are handy if you just want to hire a car for a day or two near your accommodation. We have great offers on all these suppliers and more, but book as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment. Airports near ski resorts are very busy in winter as well as airports located in the South of France during the summer holidays.

Driving

France has some of the best roads in Europe, with tolled motorways linking the main towns and cities. The speed limit on the motorways is 130km/h, and with over 2000 speed cameras across France's road network, it is advisable not to ever exceed the limits. The major routes are complemented by divine, single-lane country roads. Some of these roads are very narrow, meaning careful driving is required. The busiest areas are Paris, Lyon and Marseille, as well as along the French Riviera. Alcohol limits for driving are very low so best not to drink and drive at all.

Things To See and Do

Paris has a lot to offer and is best seen by metro and on foot, though drives to Versailles and Fontainebleau on the outskirts of Paris are recommended. Top drives include the Loire Valley from Orleans, Provence and the Côte d'Azur from Nice or Marseille, the Alps from Lyon or Annecy, and anywhere around the city of Bordeaux, Brittany or Normandy.

Best Time To Visit

There is a huge variety in France, climate-wise, although the country generally has nice weather. Summer time sees a daily average of 24°C, while the French Riviera is warm year-round, even in winter. Big events include the Cannes Film Festival in May, and Bastille Day and the Champs Elysees finish of the Tour de France in July. January and February are the best times to visit if you are heading to one of the many ski resorts on the French Alps.

Practical information

  • Currency
    Euro
  • Driving direction
    Right
  • City speed limit
    50 km/h
  • Freeway speed limit
    90 km/h
  • Language
    French
  • Popular car category
    Economy

What most people want to know

The following questions and answers are a selection of the most popular questions. If you do not find the answer to your question, have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us.

  1. Home
  2. Car hire Europe
  3. Car hire France