Car Hire from airports and cities including the following major locations; Paris, Marseilles, Calais, Lille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Avignon, Versailles, Charles de Gaulle Airport. The Car Hire group also provide car rental from other towns and cities such as Nice , Cherbourg, Montpellier , Brest , Reims , Sens , Nantes , Nimes , Nantes , Rennes. Simply click on thelink above to get instant online quotes and to book securely online.
Click on the link above to book securely online using our smart booking engine which scans your pick up and drop off times to see if you could save a whole days rental by possibly slightly changing them.
Please call our reservations helpline on 0800 358 1229 quoting Ref : 72004514 or simply book online.
Booking & receiving your French car hire voucher
Ordering your rental car is simple, just enter your car hire pick up & drop off locations, your dates and click the "Click to Quote" button. You will be shown several groups of cars all you have to do is select from the tabs which hire car group you are interested in. From here you will be shown all hire cars in that group along with the price for your rental period in GBP£. You can also select to change the currency to whichever suits you best. . When you finally select the car you are interested in renting you will be then shown several options to the rental such as extra (baby seats, roofracks. cancellation cover etc..), just select any you require and continue. You will then be required to enter your own details such as address, flight number if required etc.. and finally you will be asked to enter your credit card details to pay securely online. You will receive your car rental voucher via email immediately with your unique booking reference number and all other booking details. If your car hire start date is sooner than this then don't worry we will be in touch via telephone to arrange safe and speedy receipt of your rental voucher. If you have any questions etc.. regarding your booking or any other aspect of our car rental site then please call our dedicated call centre helpline on 0800 358 1229 quoting Ref : 72004514.
When you receive your voucher it will give full details of which fleet provider has been used and exact details of how and where to find their desk, if airport pick up then this will be in the airport arrivals hall.
Driving in France
Driving in France Traffic rules are, in fact, almost the same as in Britain with the difference that in France you drive on the right and not on the left ('serrez à droite'means keep to the right).Driving in Winter Insurance Motorways Penalties Speeding Fines Road Signs Speed Limits Tachographs 10 Vital Points to Remember Driving in Winter Even in the mountains, winter motoring is not severely restricted. To check conditions, telephone Paris (24 hours):C.N.I.R. (1) 48 94 33 33.
Snow chains can be hired from most tyre specialist garages in France (see Michelin red guide). Cheaper still, buy them from Hyper markets, especially in mountain areas. Studded tyres may be used November 1 - March 31 on vehicles weighing less than 3,5 tonnes. In bad weather conditions this period may be extended. Speed is limited to 90 km/h(56 mph). A disc reading '90'must be affixed to the back of the car. Fully comprehensive cover is advisable.
Though a green card is no longer compulsory, it is advisable as it will provide fully comprehensive cover. Your British Insurance will give you the minimum legal cover required in France: Third party. (However 3rd party cover in France is less than that in the U.K.). Check with your travel agent if you are booking a package holiday.
Motorways - the French over 8 000 kilometres of motorways, mostly toll roads 'autoroutes à péage'. Because of their private financing, prices per km can vary. The toll from Calais to Menton (1 221 kms) is 453 FF, and from Calais to Montpellier 366 F. (There are special exit booths for vehicles with accounts: télépéage automatique). You will find orange emergency telephones every 2 km, parking and resting areas every 10 or 20 km. 24-hour petrol stations offer a basic maintenance service, and are located approximately every 40 km. Most credit cards are accepted as payment for tolls and at service stations.
Penalties Drink and Drive: DON'T. The limit is 0.05 per cent alcohol. Random breath tests are frequent. The fines for exceeding the drinking level from 900 FF (for a rate between 0,05 and 0,08 %) to 30,000 FF. Police are authorised to impose and collect fines on the spot up to 2,500 F from drivers who violate traffic regulations. (rarely the Police may accept vouchers from people covered by AA, RAC or Europe Assistance motor insurance). Forminor infractions, outside parking violations, a 30% reduction on the amount of the fine may be granted to drivers who pay the fine on the spot or within 24 hours. If the motorist does not consider that he is at fault, he will be asked to pay a deposit ('amende forfaitaire') which varies according to the offence (e.g. 150 F for not wearing a seatbelt). The French Police must issue a receipt showing the amount paid.
Speeding fines: from 900 FF for exceeding the speed limit by 30 km/h to 40 km/h (reduced to 600 FF if payment on the spot)to 5 000 FF. A new category of offence has been created in the penal code for drivers who 'deliberately put the lives of others in danger'. This applies when a third person has been put in direct danger of injury or death through the driver's disregard for safety precautions: (100 000 FF for causing slight injuries).
Priorite a Droite and other road signs In built-up areas, the 'priorité'still applies and you must give way to anybody coming out of a side-turning on the right. However the 'priorité'rule no longer applies at roundabouts which means you give way to cars already on the roundabout:watch for signs and exercise great caution.
All roads of any significance in France outside built-up areas have right of way called 'passage protégé'and are denoted by one of these three signs: Signs Traffic on roundabout has priority - Main road - You Do have priority. Written signs include 'gravillons' (loose chippings), 'chaussée déformée' (uneven road and temporary surface), 'nids depoules' (potholes) and 'déviation' (diversion). Speed Limits Unless otherwise posted and on dry roads: 130 km/h on toll motorways 110 km/h on dual carriageways and motorways without tolls 90 km/h on other roads, 50km/h in towns. Town name starts the limit, a bar through the town name is the derestriction sign. Wet Roads 110 km/h on toll motorways 110 km/h on dual carriageways and non toll motorways, 80 km/h on other roads. New Speed Limit of 50 km/h: on motorways in foggy conditions, when visibility is less than 50 m. Rappel means a continuation of the restriction. Please Note: During the first 2 years after passing your test, you must not exceed: 80 km/h on roads 100 km/h on urban motorways 110 km/h on motorways There is a minimum speed limit of 80 km/h (or 50 mph) for the Outside Lane on motorways, during daylight, on level ground, and with good visibility.
Tachographs All vehicle constructed and equipped to carry ten people or more, driver included (as specified in the registration certificate), must be fitted with a tachograph; further details from the British Department of Transport.
Some Vital Points to Remember Ignoring these could lead to hefty on the spot fines - or worse.
No driving on a provisional licence.
Minimum age to drive in France is 18 not 17.
Seatbelts must be worn by the driver and front back-seat passengers. Under-tens may not travel in the front unless the child is in a specially approved fitted seat facing backwards.
Stop signs mean stop. Creeping slowly in first gear will not do. Come to a complete halt.
No stopping on open roads unless the car is driven off the road.
Overtaking where there is a solid single centre line is heavily penalised.
A red warning triangle to be carried in case of breakdown unless your car has hazard warning lights, but strongly advised anyway as breakdown may affect your electrics. However it is compulsory for cars towing a caravan or a trailer.
Full or dipped headlights, as in UK, in poor visibility and at night.
Sidelights only when car is stationary.
It is strongly advisable to have a complete spare-bulb kit (buy before you go) as it is illegal to drive in France with faulty lights.
Beams must be adjusted for right-hand drive.
Yellow-tinted headlights are not compulsory for tourist vehicles
Frequently Asked Questions:
Please click here to view the frequently asked questions. If these FAQ's do not help answer your queries regarding France car hire then please feel free to contact us with them.
The Car Hire Group:
Our aim is simple - to provide all inclusive comprehensive airport car rental France. Along side this we also aim to provide anybody wanting to rent a hire car a hands on helpful approach and to ensure all questions relating to rentals are answered.