Car Hire Paris

A quick guide to Paris

It’s easy to instantly fall in love with Paris. The combination of stunning architecture, chic shopping, mouth-watering food and laid-back, cosmopolitan atmosphere makes this a city that will linger long in the memory.

Get lost in the city

A travel itinerary is great, but the truth is you don’t really need to plan anything in Paris, there will be something to catch your eye on just about every corner.

Gaze at the Arc de Triomphe, Napoleon’s imposing monument that stands proudly in the city, or take yourself on a shopping spree down the Champs-Élysées. The famous avenue is home to designer brands such as Louis Vuitton and Cartier, but you can always just indulge in some high-end window shopping.

Take in some evening entertainment at the marvellous Moulin Rouge and enjoy a cabaret extravaganza. Paris at night is a spectacle all on its own, and when the city’s lit up the atmosphere is magical – it’s worth just having a wander to take it all in.

If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, enjoy a bite to eat at Le Café Marly, a charming cafe with a terrace that overlooks The Louvre.

An art lover’s paradise

The Louvre should be on any art lover’s list. Set aside a chunk of your day to really immerse yourself in all this celebrated museum has to offer. Home to some of the most famous art and sculptures in the world, you can pay a visit to the Mona Lisa and stare in wonder at the Venus de Milo, estimated to date back to 100BC.

Contemporary art fans will be right at home at the Musée National d'Art Moderne, which boasts works by Matisse, Pablo Picasso among others.

If you’re still seeking some artistic inspiration, take a road trip along the A13 out of Paris to Monet’s House and Gardens in Giverny. A heady mix of colours, textures and scents, the artist’s botanical garden will ignite your senses.

Save your gasps for the water garden, where from the right angle, you’ll see a real-life rendering of Monet’s famous painting The Water Lily Pond.

Dining at its finest

Fine dining is always on the menu in Paris. If you’re looking for a true show-stopper then its combination of contemporary cuisine and incredible views of the city make Restaurant Le Jules Verne a great choice.

Located on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, expect French classics with a modern twist, along with breathtaking views you’ll never forget. Just make sure you save room for one of their gloriously indulgent soufflés.

If street food is more your thing then head to the Rue des Rosiers in the Jewish Quarter and you’ll find one long street of vendors to choose from. Serving up falafel sandwiches with generous fillings, you can eat while you walk, soaking up the area’s bohemian atmosphere.

A day at Disney

For families, as well as the young at heart, a trip to Disneyland Paris is a must. Simply travel east on the A4 and you’ll be there in just over an hour from the centre of the city. Get caught up in the Disney magic, meet your favourite characters and sample the epic rides.

France’s mesmerising capital offers a wealth of things to see and do, explore them all with car hire in Paris.

Driving in and around Paris

Paris has an extensive road network and, to avoid congestion, it’s a good idea to plan ahead. The Boulevard Pèriphèrique is the major ring road and allows you to access the whole of the city. Be mindful of speed limits, as these are strictly enforced throughout France and on the ring road it’s capped at 70km/h.

Driving out of Paris is a pleasure. France’s roads are well maintained and straightforward signage makes them easy to navigate. When heading out of the city, you’ll likely travel on a high-speed autoroute (highway). The A10 that connects Paris to Bordeaux can be a little busy, but once you get away from the traffic of the city it begins to move fairly freely up to a speed limit of 130km/h, which is lowered in rainy conditions.

There are a lot of toll roads in France, so expect to pay when travelling between areas. For example if you travel from Paris to Marseille, an 800km trip via the A6 and A7, you’ll pay tolls amounting to just over 50 euros.

Laws around driving in France are quite strict. French law requires international drivers to carry an alcohol breathalyser with at least two disposable testing units, as well as spare bulbs and a high visibility jacket. France has also introduced ‘clean air’ windscreen stickers as a legal requirement in some cities, including Paris, to enable easy identification of vehicle emissions – you could face a fine if you’re caught without one.

Here at Hertz we’ll help you to understand the rules of the road in France and ensure you’re travelling with everything you need.