Boasting beautiful beaches, magical castles, and iconic landmarks, it’s no wonder that France is the most visited country in the world!
Some of the most popular destinations include Paris, Mont Saint-Michel, Côte d'Azur, and Mont Blanc. Whether you’re looking to hike in the mountains or relax on a beach, this country is sure to have something for you.
There are tons of awesome road trip options, so if you’re not hiring a motorhome in France, then you’ll want to rent a car instead.
This offers you the most flexibility when it comes to creating your itinerary!
Luckily, there are tons of awesome rental companies in this country. Whether you’re after a cheap rental, an electric vehicle, or something luxurious, you won’t be short of options.
To make your decision easier, this guide is going to go through the best car rentals in France!
First up …
There are plenty of choices when it comes to car hire in France. So much so, that you might find yourself overwhelmed with the number of options on offer.
To save you any stress or hassle, we recommend using Discover Cars. It’s arguably the best car rental search firms in the world and is found in over 10,000 locations.
As France is a popular road trip destination (and for good reason too), vehicles can get booked up quickly. Luckily, Discover Cars will show you exactly what’s available. All you need to do is type in your pickup location and dates.
You can then filter out the results by vehicle size, price, mileage, and other factors including fuel policy.
Here are some other reasons to book with Discover Cars:
Where possible, I’ve included links to Discover Cars to make your search that much easier!
Avis is our top pick when it comes to car rentals in France thanks to its very flexible cancellation policy, loyalty program, and extensive range of vehicles.
The majority of cars with Avis come with unlimited mileage, and the local tax and vehicle registration fee will also be included.
This rental company offers one-way rentals too and there are over 290 locations in the country alone, so your itinerary can be extremely flexible.
Avis has a variety of cars available that vary in size from small to large. One of the smallest options is the Fiat 500 or there’s the Volvo XC60 which is one of the largest options.
You’ll have the choice of either an automatic or manual transmission, so you’ll be comfortable driving the vehicle too.
Avis also offers electric vehicles including the Skoda Enyaq and the Fiat 500 Electric!
With over 440 pickup locations in France, Budget is the perfect option if you’re looking for a bit of flexibility. This company is also known for its fantastic prices and last-minute deals.
With 57 years of experience, an easy and secure booking process, and plenty of rental cars, it’s never been easier to hire a vehicle.
Each rental includes insurance, roadside assistance, CDW (Collision Damage Waiver), and theft protection. Most of the vehicles also included unlimited mileage and free cancellation!
Budget has 10 categories when it comes to car rentals including Economy, Compact, Intermediate SUV, and Full-Size SUV.
For those after a small car, opt for the mini manual category where you’ll be given a Renault Twingo or something similar. That’s the cheapest option, but there are plenty of larger (and more expensive) options too.
Hertz is one of the most popular rental companies in the world as they operate in over 150 countries.
With a wide variety of vehicles, a fantastic loyalty program, and plenty of great offers, this rental company has so much to offer.
They’re also the perfect option if you’re looking for long-term car rentals as they have Hertz 28 Days+. You’ll have no contract or upfront payments, and you’ll benefit from an additional driver and a monthly valet.
If you hire a rental with Hertz you’ll have plenty of vehicle options. They’re split into a variety of categories including Mini, Compact, Intermediate, and Elite.
The cars available range from a small Fiat 500 right up to a large Volvo XC60 so you’ll easily find something to your liking, no matter the size.
Through Goldcar you can use Key’n Go service which means no queues and waiting around. Essentially, you pick up the vehicle from a self-service key collection point and then you just hit the road!
Each rental includes insurance, a full tank of gas, roadside assistance, and a young driver option. There are also no counter fees or deductibles.
Honestly, hiring a car through the Key’n Go service is hassle-free and will save you a lot of time! The airport fees are also included, you’ll benefit from free cancellation, and the VAT is covered.
Several cars are available through Key’n Go including a Hyundai Kona, Peugeot 208, Citroën C4 Cactus, and a Renault Megane.
There are both automatic and manual transmission vehicles available and many of the cars seat up to 5 people.
Operating in over 100 countries and with over 2000 locations across the world, Sixt is another fantastic option. They also have an awesome loyalty program and hire to anyone 18 or over (although you’ll need to have had your license for two years).
The best thing about Sixt is that you can take your rental to other European countries. Some additional fees may be required depending on where you’re going though so just keep that in mind.
Sixt offers one of the most extensive vehicle ranges in Europe. From a Fiat 500 and a Peugeot 208 to an Audi Q5, this company has so many cars to choose from.
They also offer electric vehicles including Teslas, spacious minivans seating up to 9 people, and luxury cars like a Range Rover.
Whatever you’re after, there will be something for everyone!
Lutam is known for its fast and simple rentals so they’re a good option if you’d prefer to hire with a local company. There’s an extensive range of vehicles to choose from and you can easily search the website to find immediate availability.
The basic rental package includes insurance and 200km, although you’ll need to pay a small amount for every kilometer after that.
There are five pickup locations in France with Nice Airport arguably being the most convenient.
Like many of the other rental companies in this guide, Lutam has a variety of cars to offer. This includes small vehicles, large cars, and luxury SUVs.
However, it’s also a great option for families and groups as they have several minivans on offer. These seat up to 9 people so you’ve covered no matter how many of you there are!
If you’re looking for cheap car rental in France then Dollar is your best option! They offer the most affordable rates and each rental comes with unlimited kilometers.
As if the price wasn’t cheap enough, Dollar also has a fantastic loyalty program called the ‘Dollar Express Rewards System’. It’s free to join, and you can have a free additional driver, priority counter service, and the chance to earn free days.
There are also plenty of depots throughout the country and their website often has some big deals!
There are 11 types of vehicles available to hire with Dollar including Mini, Economy, Compact, and Full-Size Vans.
Depending on which option you go for, some of the vehicles available include a Ford Ka, Citroen C3, Renault Grand Scenic, and Citroen Space Tourer. Seating between 4-7 people, there’s an option for everyone.
Europcar is one of the most popular rental options on the European continent, let alone just in France!
With plenty of vehicle choices, a secure booking process, and a fantastic loyalty program, you won’t be disappointed if you book your rental vehicle with this company.
All their rentals include collision damage protection, theft protection, and free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup. Many of the vehicles also include unlimited mileage!
Whether you’re after an electric vehicle, a prestige car, or something small that will get you from A to B, Europcar has it all. There are both automatic and manual transmission cars available too!
Some of the rentals available include Fiat 500, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Kona, and an Audi Q5. There are also Teslas and Jeeps if you’re fancying something a bit more unique.
Although we recommend using Discover Cars for the best prices and service, you can also check out Rentacar. However, just keep in mind that it only compares prices from Avis and Budget.
The great thing about this comparison site is that you can view the categories side by side, so you can see the price difference right away. You’ll often get a brilliant price too!
Like with many car rental companies in France, you often won’t be guaranteed a make/model. You just pick a category, and you’ll be given a car of that size.
There are a variety of vehicle categories you can choose from through Rentacar. This includes Mini Cars, Compact Cars, Intermediate Elite Cars, and Full-Size SUVs.
The smallest vehicle will be a Fiat 500 or something similar, while the Volvo XC60 is one of the larger models.
Last but certainly not least there’s Enterprise! With over 9,500 locations worldwide and offering car hire in over 30 countries, this company knows what it’s doing. There also have over 30 locations within French airports which is super handy!
With every rental, you’ll get a damage waiver included but just keep in mind that you need to be at least 25 to hire a vehicle.
However, unlike some other France rentals, Enterprise allows car hire with debit cards, so you won’t need a credit card (unless you’re renting a 4x4 or premium vehicle)
Like many of the other car rental companies in this guide, Enterprise has a ton of cars to offer. There are plenty of categories to choose from including Mini, Economy, Compact, Standard, and Intermediate.
Seating 4-9 people and offering vehicles with both automatic and manual transmission, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
The price of rental cars in France will depend on when you’re visiting, the size of the vehicle, and the duration of your trip. The company you choose will also have an impact on the cost.
You can typically expect to pay between $40-60 per day for a small car, and between $70-90 for a large vehicle.
You need to be at least 18 years of age to rent a car in France, although many companies will only hire to you if you’re over 21. Some rental companies will require you to be at least 25 years old, and this is at the company’s discretion.
Before you choose your car rental company, it’s important to check the terms and conditions.
Aside from the minimum age requirements, you’ll need to have a credit card registered in your name.
You don’t need an International Driving Permit (if you’re from the UK), but some car rental companies will require that you’ve had your standard license for a specific amount of time. Generally, this is at least a year.
This will entirely depend on what you’re after. If you’re looking for the cheapest rental cars in France, then your best bet may be Dollar or Budget.
You’ve also got Sixt which specializes in one-way rentals, Hertz which offers its own rewards system, and Avis which has several car rental locations across France.
Now you’ve got an idea of the best France car rentals, it’s time to start planning your trip!
This country is home to delicious food, natural wonders, and bustling cities, but it’s most famous for its capital city - Paris, the ‘City of Love’. This is a great starting point for your road trip, but don’t spend too much time here as there’s so much to see within France.
Other popular cities to visit within the country include Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Nice, Lyon, and Rouen. You’ve also got some breathtaking natural wonders including the Normandy coastline, the lavender fields of Provence, the French Alps, and Lascaux Cave.
If you’re planning a trip to France here are some other guides you may find helpful:
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