Paris is a melting pot of culture, history, art and fashion. It’s every sightseer’s dream destination thanks to its iconic landmarks, monuments and opulent 18th and 19th-century architecture. Paris is perfect for those who want to explore via road trips or tours–although traffic may be an issue, the roads are well maintained and signposted to give you confidence when finding your way around. Being a capital city, Paris is also easily accessible from other European and French cities, and the best part is Holiday Cars offers one-way rentals, meaning you can explore the rest of France without worrying about having to return to your vehicle pickup point.
If you’re looking to hire a car for your upcoming Paris trip, Holiday Cars is your go-to assistant when it comes to finding the right vehicle for you. Our large fleet of vehicles offers numerous types of vehicles to suit your every need–whether you’re looking for an SUV with lots of cargo space and legroom, or a small hatchback economy car, you’ll find what you’re looking for with Holiday Cars. We have the lowdown on driving through Paris, including where to park and any rules and regulations. Here’s your ultimate guide to driving in Paris:
General Driving Rules and Regulations in France
- To drive a car in France, you must be aged at least 18 years old. To hire a car in France it’s required that you’re aged from 18-21, although some suppliers, vehicle types or classes may require you to be aged 25 or over. In certain circumstances and with certain car hire companies, drivers aged below 25 may have to pay a young driver surcharge.
- Driving occurs on the right side of the road, and overtaking is on the left. If you’re not used to this, e.g. if you’re a UK driver, it may benefit you to practise on quieter roads before driving in the inner city or on highways.
- France’s national speed limit is around 130km/h (around 80 mph), and in inner-city built-up areas it’s required that you drive at around 50km/h (30 mph).
- Paris is a low-emission zone, which means that when you drive you’ll need to display a Crit’Air sticker on your car that shows how polluting your vehicle is– hire cars may automatically have Crit-Air stickers. You may not be allowed in certain zones or areas depending on the type of Crit-Air sticker your car has.
- UK and EU driving licences are accepted in France, provided they are valid and in date. It’s important to carry your licence and any other form of ID with you at all times to avoid hassle or stress, particularly when driving.
Top Tips for Driving in Paris
Be aware of the emission zones and their corresponding Crit-Air stickers while driving around. Paris features several side streets and narrow roads which can be a welcome escape from the busy highways and inner city roads. However, these streets may need to be better maintained or in better condition than larger main roads, so be wary if you intend to drive on them. Despite the traffic, Paris is easy to navigate and drive through, with well-signposted and maintained roads. If you’re unfamiliar with left-side steering, practising driving on the opposite side may be a good idea before you drive on larger roads.
Parking in Paris: A Guide
Paris is split into two parking zones, each of which has its own parking rates and regulations. Generally, street parking can be difficult to find, but when it is available you can expect to pay more for parking in the inner city zone. Parking is generally free on Sundays or after 8 PM during the week and Saturdays. If you want to park on the street during the day, you should expect to pay around €4-€6 depending on the zone you’re in.
If you’re looking for cheaper parking, consider parking in the outer arrondissements (12th-20th arrondissement) or using a park-and-ride system. Paris has efficient public transport. So, if you’re wary about parking, why not park outside the main city and hop aboard the metro, tram or bus?
Hiring your Car from Paris Airports
Paris is home to several airports, the main one being Charles de Gaulle Airport. Charles de Gaulle is around 20 miles from the 1st arrondissement of Paris, which takes around 30 minutes. There are several top car hire suppliers offering car hire from Charles de Gaulle, the main ones of which include Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar and Hertz, among others. Hiring a car from an airport is a great way to secure better deals and cheaper rates than when hiring a car from an inner city area. Because of this, consider booking your rental online in advance, to ensure that the vehicle you want is available on the dates you need it.
Types of Vehicles for Hire in Paris and Prices
The main types of cars available for hire from Charles de Gaulle Airport include small/large economy cars, SUVs and minivans, station wagons, cabriolets and special luxury vehicles/ The main models of these cars range from Fiat 500s at the cheapest to Volvos at the most expensive. If you’re looking for cheaper rates and deals on car hire, stick to hiring your vehicle from Charles de Gaulle or another Parisian airport instead of from an arrondissement of Paris. At Holiday Cars, the current cheapest vehicle to hire from Charles de Gaulle airport is the Fiat 500, which has a daily price of £18 or a weekly price of £126. The most expensive vehicle to rent is the Renault Trafic, which costs around £170 per day, or around £1200 for a 7-day rental.
In contrast, if you want to hire a vehicle from downtown Paris, you can expect daily prices to be a little more expensive. For example, the cheapest car to hire from Paris city centre is the Fiat 500, which costs around £36 per day.