Cheap Car Hire in France from £18

Booking a hire car in France gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore at your own pace. If you have a UK photocard driving licence, you do not need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive within the EU. If you have a paper licence, you may need to obtain an IDP from your local post office. The minimum age for car hire in France is generally 21 or 25, depending on the car hire agency. Younger drivers may be able to hire a car if they pay an additional surcharge. If you plan to drive through several countries in Europe, check with your car hire agency about additional charges for crossing borders and to ensure you have the correct documentation and insurance. Book ahead to find cheap car hire in France.

Like most European countries, cars drive on the right-hand side of the road in France. The speed limit in built-up areas is 50 kph (31 mph); it’s 80 kph (50 mph) on main roads and goes up to 110 kph (68 mph) on motorways. Seatbelts are compulsory for all passengers, and children must be restrained in approved child seats for their age and size. Child seats and boosters can usually be arranged through your French car hire company. The legal limit is 49 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, or 0.05%, and French police can carry out random breath tests. If you are over the limit, you may receive a fine, be imprisoned or have your licence confiscated. All vehicles should use dipped headlights, particularly when the visibility is poor. If you book a car hire in France, make sure the vehicle contains a warning triangle and reflective jacket in case of an emergency. Drivers should not use headphones at the wheel, but Bluetooth systems are permitted. Most filling stations accept credit cards; however, cards issued in the UK are not always accepted at automatic pumps. Always check with the French Department of Motor Vehicles to be aware of recent law changes.

In larger French cities and dense urban areas, there is a high demand for parking spaces. Hiring a compact car such as a Fiat 500 or Citroen C1 is a good solution, as it will be easier to find a parking spot. If you plan to explore the magnificent mountain ranges such as the Alps or Pyrenees, hire an SUV such as a Jeep Renegade or BMW X1. A full-sized estate such as a Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Audi A5 offers extra comfort and luggage room. Travelling in a small group? Many car hire companies offer passenger van hire that can accommodate up to nine people, such as the Opel Vivaro. For a romantic getaway through the picturesque vineyards of Bordeaux or Loire Valley, you can find luxury car hire in France, such as the BMW 4 Series Coupe. If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly alternative, electric car hire in France is available, with options such as the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf. You can also reserve GPS systems with your hire car in France, to navigate confidently around your destination.

The most popular car hire company at France is Europcar. With prices on ECONOMY starting at £13/day about 213% more people book with Europcar than other companies in the country.

When visiting France, it is typically cheapest to hire your car in Montpellier where rental cars typically will cost around £34/day (24% less than the country average). The absolute cheapest car hire price in France was found in Montpellier for just £17/day.

In France, drivers are expected to drive on the right side of the road.