What you should know before hiring a car in Paris
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Distance from Paris city centre |
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| 14 km | ||
| 15 km | ||
| 23 km | ||
| 68 km | ||
Practical information
Where is there to rent a car in Paris?
The French capital city of Paris is one of the world's most popular visitors destinations, and as such offers plenty of amenities to travelers – including a large number of car rental opportunities. Located on the picturesque River Seine, it is home to iconic attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and Louvre art museum. Paris is home to a number of national and international travel hubs: major train stations include Paris Gare de Lyon, Gare Montparnasse, and Gare du Nord – from which the Eurostar operates to London. International airports include Charles de Gaulle Airport, which is the city's principle air hub; and Orly Airport. Taxis, buses and trains are available to take arriving visitors from the airport into the city center, while there are also a number of car rental companies operating at the Paris airports. These include Alamo, Thrifty, Europcar and Keddy. Renting a car in Paris allows travelers the opportunity to explore France at their leisure, driving along beautiful country roads and stopping in traditional French towns and villages along the way.
Driving in Paris: parking and other tips
While renting a car in Paris to explore the surrounding areas is great way to explore France, driving in Paris itself is a little more challenging. The city boasts a well-connected public transport system, which visitors may want to take advantage of instead, while there's nothing like walking through the streets of Paris and seeing the city on foot! Here are our tips for those who do decide to drive in Paris.
When driving in Paris, be sure to stick to French road rules. Drive on the right and pay attention to speed limits, which are displayed in kilometers per hour. The drink driving limit for drivers is 50mg/100ml, but to be safe avoid drinking at all before driving. There are a number of parking opportunities in Paris for those traveling by rental car, with the price per hour rising the closer to the center the parking space. On-street parking in the narrow streets can be hard to find.
Road trips from Paris
Renting a car to explore France with Paris as a starting point is a great way to see all northern France has to offer. From historic cities to vineyards and beautiful country roads, join us as we take a look at three of the best road trips from Paris.
Paris to Reims
Having explored all that romantic Paris has to offer (including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and Louvre art museum), drive your rental car out of the city and head north east, to the region of Champagne. Around 1h 45m from Paris by car, the city of Reims is seen by many as the area's capital, and is home to attractions such as Reims Cathedral, the Palace of Tau, and the Abbey of St Remi. Having explore the city itself, drive to one of the many vineyards to be found in this popular wine growing region, known for its eponymous drink – champagne!
Paris to Lyon
Take a scenic drive from Paris to Lyon, stopping off at the city of Dijon along the way to discover historic sites such as the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. Upon arrival in Lyon, park your rental car and head out to explore the sights. Located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Lyon is filled with history. Architectural landmarks include the Notre-Dame de Fourviere and Lyon Cathedral, while visitors should not miss a walk through the city's old quarter of Vieux Lyon.
Paris to Rennes
Around a three and a half hour drive from Paris stands the city of Rennes. Located in Brittany, Rennes is the region's capital city and boasts medieval architecture and interesting historic attractions. Don't miss a visit to Rennes Cathedral, built in the 19th century. The Museum of Fine Arts Rennes, the Brittany Museum, and the scenic Parc du Thabor are just a few of the must-see sights in Rennes.
