The best way to rent a car in France through FindYCar

The best way to rent a car in France through FindYCar

Travelling through Western Europe may seem straightforward, as you don’t need much to rent a car in France:

  1. Find the right type by price. Compare prices and choose the best deal.
  2. Book now and add a few extras.
  3. Confirm your reservation via bank card. This only requires a 20% deposit, but you can pay the full amount.
Location

Location

  • You are free to specify any location you prefer to collect your vehicle (this could be a city, airport, or delivery)
  • Enter the start and end dates of the rental and perform a search.
Booking

Booking

  • Choose a car and add additional services (insurance, no deposit)
  • Book a car through our website and make the payment online
  • You will receive an email voucher with the rental company’s contact details and pick-up instructions.
Pick-Up

Pick-Up

  • When collecting the car, you will need to present your voucher, passport, driving licence, and a credit card (if a deposit is required)
  • Sign the rental agreement, collect the car, and enjoy your trip.

Cheap Car Hire France: Best of FindYCar

Car Hire France
Car Hire France

Romantic boulevards, lavender fields, and medieval hilltop villages make this country an icon of European charm. Travellers come for fine wine, timeless art, and landscapes stretching from sunny Mediterranean shores to snow-capped Alps. Every region tells its own story – from Brittany’s Celtic roots to the Riviera’s glamour – while markets, vineyards, and châteaux capture the essence of French elegance.

The country rewards those who venture beyond Paris and the obvious tourist trails, into regions that trains barely reach. Hiring a car in France gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, and here’s how it can elevate your journey:

  • The Loire Valley’s fairy-tale châteaux, such as Chambord and Chenonceau, stretch across 280 kilometres of countryside with complicated bus connections
  • Provence’s lavender fields, hilltop villages like Gordes and Roussillon, and Roman ruins require flexible transport to explore properly
  • The wine routes of Burgundy and Bordeaux invite spontaneous tastings at family domaines that tour buses never reach.

In just a few minutes, you can book the best hire car with FindYCar. No deposit, guaranteed model, cash payment, additional insurance, no credit card, free cancellation, and more features to choose from. Book now.

What is the price of car hire in France?

Car hire rates in France vary significantly by region and season. Paris commands premium prices, while provincial cities offer better value. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Economy: €24–€38 per day
  • Mid-range: €41–€63 per day
  • SUVs and minivans: €67–€119 per day
  • Luxury: €134+ per day

France can be expensive, but smart choices leave more euros for wine, cheese, and lunches. Use these cost-saving tips:

  • Try to book as early as possible.
  • Compare prices through FindYCar.
  • Plan a long-term hire.
  • Choose a pick-up location in major cities.

More on price comparison:

Table of hire prices for popular cars in France by season

Car model Body type Passengers Luggage capacity Price per day (low season) Price per day (high season)
Renault Twingo Mini / City car 4 1 €30 €55
Peugeot 208 Economy hatchback 5 2 €32 €60
Citroën C3 Compact hatchback 5 2 €34 €65
Renault Clio Compact hatchback 5 2 €35 €70
Peugeot 308 Compact / Saloon 5 3 €40 €80
Renault Captur Compact SUV 5 3 €50 €90
Nissan Qashqai SUV / Family 5 3 €55 €95
Peugeot 5008 Family SUV (7 seats) 7 4 €75 €130
BMW 3 Series Premium saloon 5 3 €90 €150
Mercedes-Benz GLC Luxury SUV 5 3 €120 €190

⚠️ Note: The prices shown in the table are approximate and provided to give you a general idea of car hire rates in France. The table includes offers for popular models across different vehicle classes. To make your planning more transparent, we’ve listed separate prices for high and low seasons and included special rates allowing rentals without a deposit or credit card.

Chart of car rental prices in France: seasonal analysis based on verified bookings

Based on collected information on car rental prices in France, the following analysis can be made. The lowest rates are in January at 35 € per day and in November at 39 €, which is approximately 39 per cent lower than the highest price in July, which is 57 €. Relatively affordable months also include March and October, when prices range from 39 to 42 €, about 26 to 32 per cent below the July peak.

The most expensive period for renting cars in France is July, with prices reaching 57 € per day, followed by August at 50 € and December at 51 €. This reflects high tourist demand during summer and holiday periods. Spring months such as April, May, and June have moderately high rates ranging from 47 to 49 €, around 14 to 18 per cent below the July peak.

These data were collected based on verified car bookings through the FindYCar website. The analysis included all types of cars and all classes, as well as bookings without a deposit and without using a credit card. This allows for a comprehensive and objective view of seasonal trends in car rental prices in France.

35 €
JAN
43 €
FEB
39 €
MAR
49 €
APR
47 €
MAY
49 €
JUN
57 €
JUL
50 €
AUG
44 €
SEP
42 €
OCT
39 €
NOV
51 €
DEC

Hiring a car in France: What documents do I need?

The required documents for hiring a car in most European countries are fairly standard:

  • Driving licence
  • Credit card
  • Passport
  • Reservation voucher (optional).
Traffic Rules

Traffic Rules

Local driving combines logical rules with customs that can confuse foreigners. Master these regulations before hiring a car in France:

  1. Keep to the right and overtake on the left.
  2. Seat belts are required for everyone in the car.
  3. Speed limits are typically 50 km/h in towns, 80–90 km/h on rural roads, 110 km/h on dual carriageways, and up to 130 km/h on motorways.
  4. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5 ‰.
  5. At unmarked junctions, the “priorité à droite” rule still applies – vehicles entering from the right have priority.
Parking

Parking

Cities use pay-and-display zones with meters charging €2-4 per hour in centres like Paris, Lyon, or Nice, typically enforced Monday-Saturday from 9 am-7 pm.

Underground garages in city centres cost €3-5 per hour or €25-40 daily, expensive but guaranteed and safe overnight.

Petrol Stations

Petrol Stations

€1.70 is how much a litre of good petrol costs in France.

Prices are quite high, but petrol stations are always available.

Toll Roads

Toll Roads

Some highways require a toll: €0.10 per kilometre.

You can pay via tag, online, or with any bank card.