Compare car hire in France from £13 a day at Paris CDG, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice and Toulouse. All five airports in a single search, with real-time availability for your exact dates. Book before you fly and pay up to 60% less than walk-up desk rates on arrival.
Car hire in France starts from £13 a day at five international airports: Paris CDG, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice and Toulouse. It gives access to 14 major driving regions spanning the full breadth of the country. From the D-Day beaches of Normandy in the North to the Col de l’Iseran in the French Alps, from the Atlantic coastline of Brittany to the Mediterranean Corniche roads of the French Riviera, no other European country offers a wider range of self-drive territory within a single booking. Book cheap car hire in France before you fly and pay 40% to 60% less than walk-up desk rates on arrival.
France drives on the right. Motorways carry tolls, paid by card at peage barriers. The Crit’Air environmental vignette is required in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and 12 other cities. Hire cars in France collected at the airport should already carry one but always confirm at the collection desk. All major operators are represented across all five airports: Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Budget, Alamo and Enterprise all offer car hire in France from dedicated terminal desks.
The official France tourism authority at france.fr covers every region in depth and is the authoritative source for travel planning across all 14 regions in this guide.
Car Hire at France’s Five Major Airports
Car hire in France covers five international airports, each serving a distinct cluster of driving regions. All prices are based on compact vehicles booked before departure. Walk-up desk rates run 40% to 60% higher.
Car Hire Paris CDG Airport: from £26/day
Paris Charles de Gaulle is Europe’s second busiest airport, 23 kilometres Northeast of Paris city centre. Car hire Paris CDG Airport gives 40-minute access to Versailles, 90-minute access to the Champagne wine houses at Reims and three-hour access to the D-Day coastline on the A13. Terminal 3 has no car hire desks. Take the free CDGVAL shuttle to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 and allow 20 to 30 minutes. CDG is also the logical collection point for Loire Valley day trips, two hours South on the A10.
Car Hire Bordeaux Airport: from £13/day
Bordeaux-Merignac Airport is 10 kilometres West of the city centre. Car hire Bordeaux Airport serves the Medoc wine route (30 minutes North on the D2), the Dordogne Valley (90 minutes Northeast) and the Atlantic surf coast at Lacanau and Biscarrosse (45 minutes West). The A62 South connects to Toulouse Airport in approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
Car Hire Marseille Airport: from £15/day
Marseille Provence Airport sits 25 kilometres Northwest of the city. Car hire Marseille Airport gives immediate access to the Calanques national park coastline, the Luberon hillside villages and the Provence wine interior. Aix-en-Provence is 30 minutes East. The A8 East connects to Nice Airport in approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
Car Hire Nice Airport: from £16/day
Nice Cote d’Azur is France’s second most visited airport after Paris CDG. Car hire Nice Airport puts Monaco 25 minutes East on the A8, the Basse Corniche immediately accessible and the Italian border at Ventimiglia reachable in 45 minutes. The airport sits directly on the Mediterranean seafront.
Car Hire Toulouse Airport: from £14/day
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is the primary gateway for the Pyrenean mountain drives. Car hire Toulouse Airport makes the Col du Tourmalet accessible in 2 hours, the Canal du Midi within 30 minutes and the medieval fortified city of Carcassonne within 1 hour East on the A61.
France by Region: The Complete Driving Guide
Car hire in France gives access to fourteen distinct driving regions. Nine have dedicated scenic drives guides or airport money pages live now. Five are in development. Use this section to plan your itinerary and click through to each live guide for full route detail, seasonal pricing and insider tips.
Northwest France
Normandy
The 80-kilometre stretch of D-Day coastline from Utah Beach to Sword Beach is connected by the Route de la Liberte. The American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer overlooks Omaha Beach and requires advance timed-entry booking. Mont-Saint-Michel, the tidal island abbey rising from sandflats on the Normandy and Brittany border, is inaccessible by public transport from the nearest railway station. Car hire in France for a Normandy itinerary is the only practical way to cover the D-Day sites, the bocage countryside and Mont-Saint-Michel in a single trip. Three hours West of Paris CDG on the A13.
Brittany
The D786 coastal road between Saint-Brieuc and Brest traces some of the most dramatic Atlantic coastline in Western Europe: pink granite outcrops, Breton fishing harbours and the Crozon peninsula. Public transport coverage thins out rapidly West of Rennes, making car hire in France essential for the Finistere peninsula. The Carnac standing stones, 3,000 megalithic monuments arranged across 4 kilometres of farmland, have no direct public transport connection from any main station.
Central France
The Loire Valley
The Loire Valley’s UNESCO-listed chateaux, including Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise, Cheverny and Azay-le-Rideau, are distributed across a 200-kilometre corridor that no single train route connects properly. Chambord has 440 rooms and a double-helix staircase attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. Car hire in France for the Loire circuit transforms individual chateau visits into a two-day or three-day route covering five of the finest Renaissance buildings in Europe. Two hours South of Paris CDG on the A10.
Southwest France
5 Best Scenic Drives in the Dordogne
The D703 between Les Eyzies and Sarlat covers 30 kilometres of limestone cliffs, medieval bastide towns and the Vezere Valley’s UNESCO-listed prehistoric cave paintings, the highest concentration of Palaeolithic art in the world. Car hire in France for the Dordogne is best collected from Bordeaux Airport (90 minutes Southwest) or Bergerac Airport (45 minutes East). Peak season runs June to September.
5 Best Scenic Drives in the Pyrenees
The Col du Tourmalet at 2,115 metres, the Cirque de Gavarnie and the Aubisque pass form one of the great mountain driving circuits in Europe. The Tourmalet is the most climbed mountain in Tour de France history and the road surface reflects it: well maintained and consistently spectacular. Car hire Toulouse Airport makes the Pyrenean circuit accessible in under two hours. Mountain passes are open May to October.
South France
5 Best Scenic Drives in Provence
The Luberon plateau, the Gorges du Verdon, Europe’s largest canyon at 25 kilometres long and 700 metres deep, and the lavender fields of the Valensole plain make Provence the most photogenic self-drive region in France. Peak lavender season runs mid-June to mid-July. Car hire in France for a Provence circuit is best based from Marseille Airport (1 hour Southwest of the Luberon) or Nice Airport (2 hours East).
5 Best Scenic Drives in the French Riviera
The three Corniche roads between Nice and Monaco are among the most photographed driving routes in Europe. The Basse Corniche hugs the Mediterranean coast through Villefranche-sur-Mer. The Moyenne Corniche passes through clifftop Eze village at 427 metres. The Grande Corniche reaches 600 metres with panoramic views across Monaco and the Italian coast. Car hire Nice Airport puts the first Corniche road within 15 minutes of the terminal.
East France
Alsace
The Route des Vins d’Alsace runs 170 kilometres from Marlenheim to Thann through vine-covered slopes, half-timbered villages and the Vosges foothills. Colmar, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg are the most celebrated stops. Car hire in France for an Alsace wine route is best collected from Strasbourg Airport (SXB) for the Northern section and Basel-Mulhouse Airport (BSL) for the South. Autumn harvest season in October is the most atmospheric time to drive it.
The French Alps
The Route des Grandes Alpes connects Thonon-les-Bains on Lake Geneva to Menton on the Mediterranean coast via seventeen mountain passes, including the Col de l’Iseran at 2,770 metres, the highest paved mountain road in France. The full 684-kilometre route requires a minimum of five days. Car hire in France for an Alpine circuit is typically collected from Lyon Airport (2 hours Southwest) or Geneva Airport (1 hour North). All high passes are open June to October.
Car Hire Costs in France: Seasonal Pricing Guide
Prices for car hire in France vary significantly by season, airport and vehicle category. January is consistently the cheapest month, with compact vehicles available from £13 a day across all five airports. July and August carry a premium of 60% to 80% above January baseline rates. Booking at least four weeks before travel delivers the best combination of price and availability. Mid-week collection from Monday to Thursday is typically 10% to 15% cheaper than Friday to Sunday pickups at all five airports. Off-airport operators offering cheap car hire in France avoid the 10% to 15% on-airport surcharge but require a shuttle transfer of 15 to 30 minutes from the terminal.
| Season | Period | Daily Rate | Booking Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | January to February | From £13/day | Cheapest months. Book anytime. |
| Off Peak | Mar to Apr, Oct to Nov | £15 to £22/day | Good availability. Book 2 weeks ahead. |
| Shoulder | May to June, September | £18 to £28/day | Best price and weather balance. Book 3 to 4 weeks ahead. |
| Peak Summer | July to August | £30 to £50/day | Highest rates of the year. Book 6+ weeks ahead. |
| Christmas & New Year | 20 Dec to 5 Jan | £25 to £40/day | Premium rates apply. Mid-week pickup is cheaper. |
| Prices shown are for compact vehicles booked online in advance. Walk-up desk rates at French airports run 40% to 60% higher. Mid-week pickup (Mon to Thu) is typically 10% to 15% cheaper than Fri to Sun. | |||
Toll Roads in France
Almost all French motorways carry tolls at peage barrier stations. A credit or debit card is the most practical payment method, with Mastercard and Visa accepted universally. Every car hire in France operator recommends budgeting approximately 15 to 25 euros in tolls for a full day trip on the autoroute network. The A75 between Clermont-Ferrand and Montpellier is free of tolls and one of the most scenic motorways in France. The Millau Viaduct, the world’s tallest cable-stayed bridge at 270 metres, carries a separate toll of approximately 12 euros for a passenger car and is worth a deliberate diversion on any Southwest France itinerary.
Fuel in France
Supermarket fuel stations, including Carrefour, Leclerc and Intermarche, typically price 8% to 12% below motorway service station rates. Most car hire in France vehicles run on unleaded petrol (sans plomb) or diesel (gazole). Confirm the fuel type at the collection desk before departure, as misfuelling costs can run into hundreds of pounds. Electric vehicle hire is available at all five airports, and France’s public charging network exceeded 130,000 points in 2026, making EV hire practical across the full road network.
Driving in France: Essential Rules
Speed Limits
130 km/h on autoroutes in dry conditions, reduced to 110 km/h in rain. 110 km/h on dual carriageways, 80 km/h on rural national roads and 50 km/h in built-up areas. Paris operates a 30 km/h limit across most of the city since 2021. Drivers with less than two years’ experience face limits 10 km/h lower on all roads outside urban areas. France operates one of the densest speed camera networks in Europe, with fines starting at 135 euros, enforced against foreign hire car drivers via the rental agency months after the trip.
| Road Type | Dry | Rain |
|---|---|---|
| Motorway (Autoroute) | 130 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Dual Carriageway | 100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural National Road | 80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Built-up Areas | 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Paris City Centre | 30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| New drivers (licence held less than 2 years) face limits 10 km/h lower outside urban areas. Speed camera fines start at 135 euros. Exceeding the limit by 30 km/h risks immediate licence confiscation. | ||
Crit’Air Low Emission Zones
Every French city with a population over 150,000 operates a ZFE (Zone a Faibles Emissions) low emission zone. Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Strasbourg and Rouen all require the Crit’Air vignette. Most car hire in France vehicles collected at the airport already carry one, so confirm at the collection desk before driving away. Fines for non-compliance reach 180 euros. If you plan to bring your own vehicle into France, order the Crit’Air sticker from the official government site at certificat-air.gouv.fr at least three weeks before travel.
Priorite a Droite
At unmarked junctions without traffic signs or road markings, vehicles arriving from the right have priority. This rule applies in rural areas and some residential streets. Approach any unmarked junction slowly where visibility to the right is restricted. The rule does not apply on roads marked with a yellow diamond sign.
Documents at the Collection Desk
The three documents required at all car hire in France collection desks: a full valid driving licence held for at least 12 months, a passport or national ID card, and a credit card in the main driver’s name. UK licence holders do not need an international driving permit. Non-EU licence holders should confirm whether an official translation is required at booking stage. Every price shown for car hire in France includes mandatory insurance and all applicable local taxes, with no hidden fees added at the collection desk and free cancellation on most vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions: Car Hire in France
Is it worth hiring a car in France?
Yes, particularly outside Paris and the main cities. France’s finest regions are significantly more accessible by car hire in France than by train or coach. The Dordogne, the Loire chateaux circuit, the lavender fields of Provence, the Pyrenean passes and the Brittany coast all lack adequate public transport coverage. A hire car in France opens all fourteen regions in this guide.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in France?
January is consistently the cheapest month for car hire in France, with compact vehicles averaging £13 to £18 a day at all five major airports. February is the second cheapest. July and August carry the highest annual rates, so book at least six weeks ahead for summer travel.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in France?
Most operators set the minimum age for car hire in France at 21. Drivers aged 21 to 24 incur a young driver surcharge of approximately 20 to 35 euros per day. Some operators set their minimum at 25 for automatic or premium vehicles.
What documents do I need for car hire in France?
The three documents required at every car hire in France collection desk: a full valid driving licence held for a minimum of 12 months, a passport or national ID card, and a credit card in the main driver’s name. UK licence holders do not need an international driving permit. Non-EU licence holders should confirm at booking whether an official translation is required.
Do I need a Crit’Air sticker for my hire car in France?
Most car hire in France vehicles collected at French airports already carry a Crit’Air sticker, so confirm at the collection desk before driving away. The vignette is required to enter the low emission zones in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other major cities, where fines for non-compliance reach 180 euros.
Book Cheap Car Hire in France
France offers more self-drive territory than any other country in Europe, and a hire car is the only way to reach the best of it. Sort your car before you fly, book early to beat the summer peak, and let the fourteen regions in this guide shape your route. Getcarhire.com compares cheap car hire in France from over 500 suppliers across Paris CDG, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice and Toulouse, with no hidden fees and free cancellation on most vehicles. Heading elsewhere in Europe? See our guides to car hire in Spain, car hire in Italy and car hire in Portugal.
