Rent a Car France

France car hire

Your French adventure awaits, enjoy one of the most beautiful, scenic and culturally rich countries in the world from the comfort of your Avis hire car.

Scour the rugged Brittany coast in the north; bask in the bright cultural lights of Paris; trail through the verdant valleys of the Dordogne and the Loire; hit Provençal heights in the south and purr through plush Monaco and along the Côte d’Azur.

So what are you waiting for? Start your journey with Avis today.

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Car Hire France with Avis. There's no better way to see France than by car.

Popular airport locations in France

Popular car hire locations in France

Plan your trip in France

Couture fashion houses, vineyards, decadent architecture and rich history, France is a country that has delighted travellers for thousands of years.

The capital city of Paris is a bustling metropolis that is more than just a hub for fashion and couture, Paris has some of the world’s most renowned galleries and museums including the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay and the Centre Georges Pompidou.

Outside of the capital there are incredible destinations for you to enjoy. How about heading off to the beaches of the French Riviera? Or to Provence and the port city of Marseille? Maybe driving through the Loire Valley, home to amazing chateaux and stunning scenery?

Come city, airport or country town, we’ve got you covered in France. Whether you fancy a snappy little hatch for an urban jaunt, a classy coupé for a romantic road trip or a roomy people carrier for a family holiday, we have the perfect Avis hire car for you.

Road trips in France

Montpellier to St Tropez
Our recommended route takes you through Provence and showcases the beauty of the southern coast of France.

Start in Montpellier and head north east to Nîmes, an important outpost of the Roman Empire and full of well-preserved monuments such as the Arena, an incredible Roman amphitheatre built around 70AD, that is still used for concerts and bullfights today.

From Nîmes, head east toward Aix-en-Provence, birthplace of the painter Paul Cézanne. This route takes you past the amazing views of the Provence countryside. Jump onto the A51, and head towards the south coast of France and past the breath taking Massif des Maures. Stop off for a coffee or a meal in any one of the friendly cafes in the bustling seaside town of Toulon, before continuing your coastal journey to the beautiful port town of St Tropez.

Gateway to the French Riviera, St. Tropez was an artists' colony for many years ,before becoming known in the 1960s as a playground for the rich and famous, due to its amazing beaches and nightlife.

Bordeaux to Biarritz
This fantastic road trip runs alongside the incredible Bay of Biscay and takes you right to the Spanish border.

Starting your journey from Bordeaux, we recommend taking the route through the Parc Naturel Régional des Landes de Gascogne, a national park famed for its scenery and abundant birdlife.

You have two options when you leave the park, you can either head west towards the ocean and drive along the coast to the town of Biarritz, or you can head straight there, both have their merits. The coast road is a beautiful drive and the beaches are incredibly popular with surfers from all over the world. Why not take the opportunity to stop off and enjoy a picnic? The drive straight is also scenic but not nearly as beautiful as the coastal route. But you will arrive in Biarritz about 40 minutes earlier, giving you more time to enjoy this elegant resort and all its attractions.

Driving rules in France

Which side of the road?
In France, please drive on the right side of the road.

Country driving laws

Mobile phones may only be used with a hands-free device. Do not use headphones or earpieces
In towns and rural areas, on minor roads and where there is no clear indication of right of way, it may be prudent to give way to traffic coming from the right (“priorité a droite”)
Bus lanes are reserved exclusively for buses, taxis and bicycles
It is recommended that drivers use dipped headlights at all times

Speed limits

All speed signs will be in km/h.

For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailer:

Urban areas: 50 km/h (31 mph)
Rural areas: 90 km/h (55 mph)
4-lane expressways (rural areas): 110 km/h (68 mph)
Motorways: 130 km/h (80 mph)

Unless indicated by road signs. Be aware of changes to speed limits displayed on road signs due to adverse weather conditions.

Child safety / Seatbelt laws

It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
Children aged under 10 and weighing less than 36kg must be seated in appropriate child restraint
Children weighing up to 9 kg must travel in a rear-facing car seat, in the back of the car only

Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.

This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.