Car rental in France is the most convenient way to travel independently and get to know the country better. Prices for car rental in France start from 30 EUR per day for economy class cars.
To rent a car in France, you need to have an international driver's license, be at least 21 years old and have at least one year of driving experience. The rental price includes unlimited mileage, "damage to car" (CDW) insurance and VAT.
Additional costs include theft insurance, child seat, co-driver. The car is issued with a full tank of fuel and must be returned in the same condition. If the car is rented for 3 days or more, it can be returned in another city at no extra charge.
The cost of a liter of gasoline in France is 1.5 EUR. For the current price of gasoline in France, visit the website.
Speed limits in France:
- Populated area: 50 km/h
- Outside a populated area: 90 km/h
- Highway: 110 km/h
- Highway: 130 km/h
- Minimum speed on highway 80 km/h
PDDs in France:
- The use of radar detectors is prohibited
- The use of dipped beam headlights during daytime is compulsory only in poor visibility conditions and when driving through tunnels
- Children under 10 years of age may not be carried in the front seat. A child seat or booster is compulsory for a child weighing less than 18 kg
- In France it is compulsory for all passengers to wear seat belts
- The leftmost row must remain clear for overtaking
Fines in France for traffic offenses:
- Speeding - from 68 to 1500 EUR
- Invalid parking - 17 EUR
- Overtaking violation, running a red light - 135 EUR
- Failure to use seat belts - from 46 EUR
- Talking on the phone without hands free - from 35 EUR
- Blood alcohol content more than normal and up to 0.8 ‰ - 135 EUR, more than 0.8 ‰ - 4500 EUR and deprivation of license up to 3 years
- No reflective vest - 90 EUR
- No breathalyzer (since November 2012) - 11 EUR
Some roads in France are toll roads. The toll is indicated on the toll board at the entrance to the tolled section. Bank cards and cash are accepted. Toll roads in France are called Autoroute peage. They are marked with an "A" on a blue road sign.
Sections with special tolls (bridges and tunnels):
- Mont Blanc tunnel between French Chamonix and Italian Courmayeur (11,6 km) - 38.90 EUR one way, 48.60 EUR round trip
- Frejus tunnel, also connecting France with Italy (12.9 km) - 38.90 EUR one way, 48.60 EUR round trip
- Tunnel under the English Channel (51 km) - fare for a car with passengers (up to 9 people) - 22 EUR one way (trip up to 2 days), 44 EUR (return within 5 days) and more. For more details on fares and conditions, please visit Eurotunnel website
- Millau Viaduct (2.5 km) - 6.40 EUR and 8.20 EUR (July, August)
- Normandy Bridge (2.1 km) - 5.20 EUR
- Tancarville Bridge (1.4 km) - 2.50 EUR
- Isle de la Ré (2.9 km) - 9 EUR and 16.50 EUR (from mid-June to mid-September) round trip
