Car Hire in France - Best Rates Garanteed

Auto Europe is the best choice when it comes to booking a car hire in France. This is because the company has over 60 years of experience in the car rental industry, as well as offering over 20,000 service stations across the world, where staff ensure that your experience is the best it can possibly be. If you are hiring a car in France, you will be simply spoiled for choice, for Auto Europe offers car rental services in over 100 cities and towns in the country. Not only does our company provide its services in continental France, but also on the island of Corsica. Whether you are travelling on business, leisure, alone or with your family, Auto Europe offers various vehicle models to suit your every need! If you wish to tour Europe by car, you could book your car in Nancy and drive up to Stuttgart for the day. You could even drive to Brussels from Lille to sample some delicious Belgian waffles! The possibilities are endless.

Traffic Rules and Driving Tips

• Like all mainland European countries, vehicles in France drive on the right-hand side of the road. This means that your rental car will be somewhat different to an Irish model, as the steering wheel is on the left-hand side and the gearbox is on the right.
• Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol is illegal as well as being extremely unsafe. Auto Europe strongly recommends against drink-driving. The BAC or Blood Alcohol Content limit in France is 0.05 for regular driver licence holders. The limit is 0,2% for beginners who have held their licence for less than two years.
• The use of a mobile phone whilst driving is both illegal and advised against. Auto Europe recommends the use of a hands-free kit for taking calls for when you are driving.
• It is important that the driver and passengers wear a seatbelt when the car is in motion.
• Both the driver and the passengers must wear their seatbelts at all times while the car is in motion. This is strongly advised for passenger safety.
• Petrol stations are available in all major cities, and most of them are open 24 hours a day.
• For even more insightful information, head over to our dedicated page.

Road Tolls

Motorways in France are called "autoroutes" and most often you will have to pay to use them. Using the motorway isn´t too difficult. You are given a ticket at the entry gate and, depending on how far you´ve travelled, you will pay your toll at the exit gate.

Age Restrictions

In order to book a car hire in France, you will need to be at least 18 years of age, however it may depend on which rental company you use. "Young driver fees" may apply if you are 24 years old or younger.

Currency

France is part of the eurozone, which means that they use the euro. Cash machines are accessible with all major credit and debit cards. Additional transactions fees may apply. Most restaurants, stores and petrol stations will accept cash cards.

Time Zone

Both Corsica and continental France operate within the Central European Time Zone, which is GMT+1. This means that the country´s time is one hour ahead of that in Ireland. In France, Daylight Savings Time is in operation from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday of October, when the clocks are pushed back by one hour.

Language

French is the official language of France, but there are various other interesting dialects which are spoken across the country, including Germanic French in the east and Breton in the west. In order to experience French culture at its best, we recommend that you bring with you a French phrasebook or at least brush up on some French key phrases

Electricity

French sockets are known to generate electricity at the rate of 220-240 volts. They are different to the three-pronged sockets that are used in Ireland. The plugs used in France are the two-pronged C, E and F plugs.

Visa Requirements and Embassy

Citizens of the Republic of Ireland do not need a visa to enter France, as both countries are members of the EU. A valid passport is required, however, and driving licenses are not an acceptable form of ID. If you feel the need to contact the Irish Embassy in France, the contact information is listed below.

Irish Embassy in Italy
12 ave Foch
75116 Paris
(entrance 4 rue Rude for Embassy, Passport Visa Office)
Telephone: +33 1 44176700
Fax: +33 1 53 64 06 83

Motorhome hire in France

For your next trip to France, why not book a motorhome through Auto Europe? You can expand your itinerary to include all the destinations you've always wanted to see, ranging from the Alps to the Loire Valley, and the Mediterranean coast, for example. Learn more about motorhome hire in France here. Pick-up locations include various mainland cities such as Marseille, Lyon and Paris, as well as Ajaccio on Corsica.

Useful Links

Motorway Rules and Luxury Cars