Bordeaux is renowned across the world and in France for its viticulture and wine production, making it one of the top tourist destinations in the country. Bordeaux is also known for being easy to drive around, with well-maintained and signposted roads and coloured parking zones. If you plan on hiring a car in Bordeaux, choose Holiday Cars for a smooth, streamlined and efficient car journey anywhere you go. Not only are our vehicles secure, safe and reliable, but they are well-suited to all your needs and requirements.
We are your go-to for all things car hire, and we are also here to give you the lowdown on driving around Bordeaux. Here are our top tips, advice and information on driving around Bordeaux, including what to consider and look out for and where best to park in the city:
Driving Rules and Regulations in France
Bordeaux follows the general rules of driving in France and has been cited as an easy city to drive in and around, with well-signposted roads, scenic drives and well-maintained roads. The general rules for driving in France are:
- To drive in France, you must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence.
- UK and EU driving licences are generally accepted across the country. However, it’s important to carry relevant documents with you to ensure there are no complications or unwanted hassles when driving.
- In France, you drive on the right and overtake on the left– this is especially important for a UK driver to know, as driving is on the left in the UK. If you’re not confident with driving on the other side of the road, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the roads before you drive to ensure a smoother and safer journey.
- France has many tolls on its motorways known as Autoroute tolls. These can generally be paid by contactless payments, and are usually indicated by a blue road sign or a letter ‘A’ for Autoroute. Some road signs may also say ‘péage’ which means toll.
- France’s national speed limit is around 130 km/h (80 mph) for motorways and larger roads. For roads in built-up inner city areas, the speed limit is 50 km/h (30 mph).
- Most cities in France implement a strict low-emission system and require that cars display a Crit’Air sticker which indicates the level of emissions of the car you drive. You may be denied entry to certain zones within a city if your Crit’Air sticker shows that the emissions from your vehicle are high (this is usually indicated by the colour of your sticker). Not displaying a sticker can cause you to be fined.
Top Tips for Driving in Bordeaux
Bordeaux is generally cited as being easy to drive around, but the city centre is known for its one-way roads, busy and pedestrianised streets and narrow roads. You might want to consider parking outside the city centre and taking a bus or tram into the city for maximum efficiency and accessibility. Check that the place you are driving in beforehand is a clean-air zone, for which you will need a Crit-Air sticker.
You can enquire about this with your rental company. Familiarise yourself with the roads and their respective speed limits before driving in Bordeaux to ensure a smoother and more efficient driving experience.
Parking in Bordeaux: A Guide
Parking in Bordeaux is indicated by several coloured parking zones, which are green, red and orange. There are several multi-storey parking garages, and on-street parking spaces too. The on-street parking zones you want to look out for are:
Green Zones: This indicates free or lower rates on parking– these zones are usually the furthest from the city centre, and have a maximum parking time of around 4 hours.
Orange Zones: Orange zones also have low rates on parking, and are closer to the city centre.
Red Zones: These are usually in the very heart of the city centre, and usually have the most expensive parking rates.
Bordeaux generally offers free parking on Sundays and public holidays, so you may want to time your trip accordingly if you are renting a vehicle or driving in Bordeaux. Additionally, free parking is available in shopping centre car parks, but these car parks offer parking for less time than on-street parking, so if you know you’re going to be out all day or for a long time, on-street parking may be a better option for you. It’s often preferable to park in the green or orange zone or further out of the city and either walk or take public transport around the city centre, as it can be difficult to navigate the city with your car or find a parking space.
Hiring your Car from Bordeaux Airport
As a general rule of thumb, hiring a car from an airport usually helps keep costs lower than hiring from a city centre. Bordeaux Airport is around 8 miles out of the city, so hiring from the airport can help you immediately start your journey in and around the city and will save you from having to pay for public transport. Prices for hiring a car from Bordeaux Airport are around £17 at their cheapest, contrasting to the downtown car rental starting price of £24. The main car hire suppliers at Bordeaux airport include Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, OK Mobility, Rentscape and Sixt, all of which are reliable and reputable car hire suppliers.
Booking your rental vehicle online in advance with Holiday Cars can not only ensure that you secure the vehicle you want but also keep costs lower. You will also get access to more car hire suppliers, like National, Dollar and Thrifty.
Types of Vehicles for Hire in Bordeaux and Prices
You can find a variety of vehicle makes and models when booking with Holiday Cars from both downtown Bordeaux and Bordeaux Airport, including economy, SUVs, minivans, station wagons and special cars. When hiring from Bordeaux Airport, the cheapest make and model of car available is the Fiat 500, with a starting price of £17 per day. The most expensive car to hire from Bordeaux Airport is the Citroen SpaceTourer, which costs £197 per day.
From Bordeaux city centre, the cheapest car for hire is the Renault Megane, with a per-day cost of £24. The most expensive car to hire from Bordeaux city centre is the BMW 4-Series Coupe, which starts at £100 per day.