Car rental in France

France's beauty lies in its diversity: from the vineyards of Alsace and the châteaux of the Loire Valley to the azure coves of Provence and the snow-capped peaks of the Alps. Many interesting places are located outside major cities, and regional transport isn't always convenient for complex itineraries. Renting a car in France is the optimal solution for creating your own journey.

With a car, you can easily reach remote wine cellars in Bordeaux, drive along the winding roads of the Normandy coast, or explore medieval fortresses in the Occitanie region. With a rental car, you're no longer dependent on train and bus schedules, won't waste time waiting for taxis, and won't overpay for trips.

Where to Rent a Car

Online booking through Localrent eliminates the hassle of finding a car on-site, where offices often have limited selection and higher prices. The service brings together numerous local companies, offering a wide range of vehicles for different needs and budgets. Why experienced travelers choose Localrent:

1. You can find vehicles available for rent without a credit card.
2. Half of the vehicles on the platform require a deposit of less than 300 euros.
3. Many cars already include extended insurance in the price. You won't need to pay extra for insurance coverage separately when collecting the vehicle.
4. Choose the right vehicle class — from compact models for cities to crossovers for mountainous terrain or minivans for large groups.
5. The filter system helps you quickly find cars by make, year, engine power, and other important parameters.

Booking a car on Localrent means transparent conditions and confidence that you'll receive a vehicle that meets your expectations.

Documents and Requirements: What You Need to Rent a Car in France

You'll need a valid driver's license, passport, and the voucher that arrives via email after booking confirmation.

Age requirements in France are quite strict: most companies set a minimum threshold of 25-26 years for renters with at least 1 year of driving experience. However, this isn't an absolute rule. Using the website filters, you can find offers for younger drivers — simply specify your age and driving experience when selecting a vehicle.

Driving in France: Rules, Customs, and Signs

French traffic regulations have their nuances that are important for car renters to know. Speed limits are strictly enforced with automatic cameras:

• Motorways (Autoroute) — 130 km/h, in rain — 110 km/h
• Divided highways (Route à chaussées séparées) — 110 km/h, in rain — 100 km/h
• Regional roads (Départementales) — 80 km/h
• Built-up areas — 50 km/h, limit applies from the moment you see the town name sign on a light background

If visibility drops below 50 meters during heavy rain or fog, the maximum permitted speed on any roads, including motorways, is reduced to 50 km/h.

Separate rules apply for certain vehicle types. For example, novice drivers with less than 3 years of experience are limited to 110 km/h on motorways even in dry weather, while cars with trailers are limited to 100 km/h.

The French road network is well developed. Motorways, marked with "A", are mostly toll roads. Free alternatives include national roads — "N/RN" and departmental roads — "D". Road surface quality is generally good, but in rural and mountainous areas you may encounter narrow and winding sections.

French drivers are generally disciplined but drive quite fast. In cities they're typically assertive, especially at roundabouts. On motorways, high-speed driving is standard, and the left lane is used exclusively for overtaking. Be prepared for drivers behind you to follow quite closely.

Parking in France

Street parking is the most common type in cities. Streets are marked with white lines indicating parking spaces. You'll almost always see a nearby sign with information. There are 3 types of street parking:

• Paid parking. If you see a "PAYANT" sign, parking is paid. Payment is made through a parking meter — after payment you receive a ticket that must be placed under your windshield. Often payment is only required during certain hours, for example, from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, while evenings, nights, Sundays, and holidays are free. Exact conditions depend on the parking zone and city. In many paid zones, lunch time, for example from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, is free.
• Free zones with time limits. In small towns and some areas of major cities, there are "Blue Zones" marked with blue lines. Parking here is free but time-limited, usually maximum 1-1.5 hours. Mandatory requirement — using a parking disc where you set your arrival time and place it under your windshield.
• Alternate parking. On many narrow streets, alternate parking rules apply. This helps municipal services and regulates traffic. The principle: from the 1st to 15th of each month, you can only park on the side with even house numbers, and from the 16th to the last day of the month — on the side with odd numbers. Always pay attention to additional signs that clarify the rules.

In city centers, it's convenient to use underground or multi-level car parks. At the entrance you take a ticket, and at exit you pay at a machine before inserting the ticket into the barrier. These car parks are often marked with a large blue sign with a white letter "P".

Outside built-up areas, you're allowed to park on the roadside, but only on the right side in your direction of travel, unless prohibited by markings. On highways, stopping is only permitted at specially equipped areas marked with signs.

Parking is considered a violation if the vehicle:

• Is on a sidewalk, pedestrian crossing, bike lane, or public transport lane
• Blocks access to private property, a fire hydrant, or road signs
• Is parked in a tunnel, on a bridge, or before a railway crossing
• Is positioned right next to a solid line, forcing other drivers to cross it

Besides parking meters, in many cities you can pay for parking through mobile apps such as Flowbird, EasyPark, and others.

Fuel Stations in France

In France, you'll encounter three main formats of fuel stations:

• Service stations, often found on motorways and major roads. Here you fill up first, then drive to the payment booth and pay for the actual amount of fuel to the operator.
• Supermarket stations are often self-service stations that work on a prepayment basis. You insert your card into the terminal at the pump, enter your PIN code, after which the system activates the nozzle and you fill up. Your card may have approximately 100–150 euros temporarily blocked. After a few days the hold is released and only the money you actually spent on fuel is charged.
• Fully automated stations. This is the most challenging option for tourists. At such stations there are no operators or shops. Only terminals. Sometimes there's a nearby shop where you can pay cash and receive a code to activate the pump.

At automated stations, a chip card with PIN code is almost always required. Contactless cards or cards with only a magnetic stripe may not work. Some terminals also support payment through Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Booking a Car in France

Start the booking process on the Localrent website, specifying pickup and return cities and rental dates. For more precise selection, use the "Specify location" field where you can choose a specific pickup point — airport, port, rental office, or delivery option.

Next:

1. Apply filters by transmission type, vehicle class, engine size, or specific manufacturer
2. Review the card of your preferred vehicle, paying attention to included mileage, technical specifications, and available payment methods
3. Add necessary options such as child seats, additional insurance, or second driver service
4. Proceed to complete the booking by clicking "Continue"
5. At the final stage, specify the exact time and place for vehicle pickup, enter personal details and contact information. Pay the advance with a bank card online — after booking confirmation, you'll receive a voucher via email that must be presented when collecting the car.

When meeting with the rental company representative, carefully inspect the vehicle and jointly document all existing damage in the report. Sign the rental agreement, pay the remaining amount and security deposit, ensure you have all documents: contract, insurance policy, inspection report, and contact details.

Where to Drive in France with Your Rental Car

France is ideal for road trips. By car, you can create your own route to visit not only major cities but also charming corners off the main tourist trails:

1. Châteaux of the Loire Valley. This region is called the jewel of the French Renaissance. Dozens of magnificent châteaux are concentrated here, many inaccessible by public transport. You can visit the famous Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise, and Villandry. Along the way, stop in Tours with its beautiful historic center. For comfortable drives through the flat Loire Valley terrain, a compact car with an economical engine is perfect, such as a Volkswagen Golf or Fiat 500.
2. Lavender fields of Provence in the Valensole plateau area. In summer, Provence transforms, with its signature feature — endless purple fields of blooming lavender. The center of this spectacle is on the Valensole plateau, where the most beautiful locations are found. The trip can be combined with a visit to Lake Sainte-Croix, one of the largest and most picturesque in France. Along the way, also see the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, known for its faience and the Notre Dame de Beauvoir church in a rock crevice.
3. Normandy. Take a journey along the English Channel coast with its famous resorts. You'll see the contrast between luxurious beaches and rugged rocky shores. Be sure to visit the ruins of Château Gaillard, built by Richard the Lionheart and impressive in its scale.
4. Gorges du Verdon canyon. The Verdon canyon amazes with its scale and turquoise river color. Main viewing points — the Pont du Galetas lookout with panoramic views of Lake Sainte-Croix and the entrance to the Couloir Samson gorge, from where many hiking routes begin. Roads here are winding with numerous hairpin turns. For such trips, we recommend choosing a vehicle with an engine of at least 1.4 liters, such as a Hyundai Kona or Skoda Kamiq.
5. Alsace. The Alsace Wine Route is a route through dozens of France's most beautiful villages nestled among vineyards. You'll drive through Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, and Eguisheim, where you can experience half-timbered architecture. Best plan the trip for autumn to catch the harvest and young wine festivals. Roads here are quality and smooth, so any class of vehicle suits travel through Alsace. Along the way, visit the regional capital — Strasbourg with its famous cathedral.

Wine and gastronomy lovers should head to Bordeaux or Burgundy to visit wineries and cellars. Those who appreciate Mediterranean atmosphere and beach relaxation will enjoy the French Riviera with its lively Nice and Cannes. For mountain landscape enthusiasts, consider a trip to the Auvergne region or to the foot of Mont Blanc.

Where to Rent a Car in France

On Localrent, you can rent a car in various French cities, including Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, and Nice. Many locations offer different pickup options — not only at airports or city offices, but also with delivery service to your preferred location or at central train stations.

Tips for First-Time Car Renters in France

Renting a car opens a completely different way to discover France — you can turn off major motorways onto scenic provincial roads leading to vineyards, villages, and châteaux. However, local regulations and road conditions have important features worth considering in advance for a comfortable and safe journey.

Learn About Crit'Air Environmental Zones

In many major French cities, including Paris, Lyon, and Grenoble, restricted traffic zones (ZCR) are in effect. To enter them, your vehicle must display a special Crit'Air sticker on the windshield that corresponds to the vehicle's environmental class. This sticker must be ordered online in advance from the official French government website. Lack of the required sticker when entering such a zone can result in a substantial fine.

Choose a Vehicle for Your Routes

France has diverse terrain, and vehicle choice should depend on your plans. For trips through Provence with its straight roads and small towns, a compact hatchback works well. If you're planning to explore winding mountain roads in the Alps or regions with hilly terrain, better choose a vehicle with an engine of at least 1.4 liters for confident uphill driving.

Be Prepared for Toll Roads

The motorway network in France is mostly toll-based. Fees are collected at toll booths. The most convenient way is through special télépéage lanes, but for one-time trips, regular lanes with payment by bank card or cash work fine. Keep some small change handy for convenient transactions.

Be Careful in Tunnels and on Narrow Streets

When entering tunnels, always reduce speed — strict limits apply inside, often monitored by cameras. In historic centers of many cities, especially in southern France, streets can be very narrow. Be prepared for this and exercise special caution.

FAQs About Car Rental in France