Car Hire France

A quick guide to France

France is the most visited country on the planet – and even a short amount of time here will make you realise why. Paris may be justly renowned for its air of romance, but hiring a car will give you the chance to fall in love with countless other corners of the country too.

See the sights

Think of the sights to see in France and the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and cathedral of Notre-Dame leap readily to mind. But the must-see landmarks aren’t confined to the capital.

Take a trip to the Palace of Versailles, just a 45-minute drive from Paris, to experience the breathtaking opulence of this 17^th century château.

Home to the French royal family right up to the 1789 revolution, tour the astonishing Hall of Mirrors celebrating the nation’s successes, the king’s ornate apartments and the majestic gardens.

The Condé Museum is 40km north of Paris and it’s an absolute must for art lovers. Paintings, drawings and engravings from masters like Raphael fill every room. The museum itself sits in landscaped gardens of the Château de Chantilly, bedecked with waterfalls and fountains.

From the slopes to the sea

You're spoilt for choice when it comes to alpine villages and ski resorts in France. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc sits close to the border with Switzerland and Italy, and is renowned for some of the best skiing in France, all year round.

The Chamonix resort is located at the base of the highest summit in the Alps making it a must-visit not just for avid skiers and snowboarders but also for mountaineering enthusiasts.

If sun, sea and sand is more your thing then the South of France has it all. Head for La Côte des Basques in Biarritz, a stunning stretch of coastline perfect for sandy strolls or surfing.

A taste of France

France is renowned for its cuisine and is home to some of the world’s finest Michelin star restaurants. Travel to Provence and dine at La Bastide Saint-Antoine in Grasse. This luxurious gourmet restaurant sits high in the hills, so you can take in the most breath-taking view of the surrounding area, while you savour some of the country’s finest food.

Dine your way through France and arrive in Lyon to continue your culinary adventure. Embrace Lyonnais livingat Le Garet, a ‘bouchon’ restaurant where the food is traditional and portions plentiful – perfect for fuelling up before a day exploring all that Lyon has to offer.

The journey is the destination

The roads of France are such a pleasure to drive that the journey feels as much a part of the adventure as the destination, whether you take the autoroute or opt for the smaller roads for a more scenic view.

Travel down the Côte d’Azur on the French Riviera, which weaves its way across the South of France. Choose a fish dish on the harbour in Saint Tropez, go celebrity spotting in cosmopolitan Cannes or brush shoulders with the rich and famous by driving to Monaco and strolling its yacht-lined harbour.

Car hire in France opens up a world of possibilities for exploring this beautiful, diverse country.

Driving in and around France

Thanks to its well-maintained roads and straightforward signage, France is a pleasure to explore by car. You may find some of the rules of the road a little stricter than you’re used to though, so it’s worth checking these before you travel.

French law requires international drivers to carry high-vis jackets, spare bulbs and also an alcohol breathalyser test in their cars. Here at Hertz we’ll help make sure you’re travelling with everything you need.

Whether you’re looking to lap up the impossibly azure waters of Saint Tropez, strike out for the snow-capped French Alps or explore the northern coastline of Normandy, you’ll likely travel on a freeway, known as an autoroute.

Apart from around major cities, such as on the busy A10 from Paris to Bordeaux, traffic moves fairly freely on the country’s autoroute network, with the speed limit set at 130km/h – however, this will be reduced if weather conditions are poor.

Speed limits are very strictly adhered to in France and carry heavy penalties if you exceed them, so it’s worth paying close attention to road signs.

There are plenty of toll roads in France so expect to pay when travelling between the different regions, known as provinces. However if you have a little more time on your hands you can opt for some of the smaller, lesser-known roads in France.

The historic Route Napoléon, a 320km drive from Grenoble to Grasse, takes in stunning scenery as you retrace the steps of the iconic French figure on his 1815 return from exile in Elba.

To find out more about driving in France, such as the different types of road and the rules you need to follow then click here.