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    Car hire in Nice - explore the amazing Côte d'Azur

    Elegant and alluring, the south of France is almost synonymous with luxury. Cannes, Nice and St. Tropez are timeless gems that never go out of vogue. No matter what type of holiday-maker you are, Nice most certainly has something up its sleeve for you. Be it stunning beaches, nice historic architecture or vibrant nightlife, you can tailor your stay in the south of France according to your own preferences. With so much to see and explore, we recommend arranging a car hire in Nice.

    Auto Europe is a car rental broker with over 60 years of experience on the car rental market. We collaborate with the leading suppliers from France to bring you only the best low-priced car rental in Nice.

    Prepare for your wonderful holiday in Nice by reading our guide to driving in France.

    How is the traffic in Nice?

    The notion of driving in Nice is notorious among travellers. However, if you manage to overcome the initial annoyance and drive out of town to get more of the Cote d’Azur, you will be immensely rewarded with wonderful scenic drives, coastal highlights such as Cannes and quaint sun-kissed villages bathing in lavender scent.

    When driving your car hire in Nice, pay special attention to the fast and offensive driving style typical for the town especially in peak summer months. With plenty of one-way streets and bike and bus lanes, you will need to be very careful not to get trapped in one. Overtaking in France is only on the left-hand side and, when there are neither traffic lights nor signs indicating differently, the car coming from the right will always have the priority. All drivers need to be extremely careful and never leave any valuables in the car. There are many reports of carjacking and stealing items from a car standing at the traffic light.

    Where can I park my car hire in Nice?

    We recommend secure multi-storey public car parks for parking your vehicle. Paid on-street parking is also available but difficult to find. It is paid on work days and free on weekends. You need to have coins as meters accept no other means of payment. Foreign drivers will often be surprised at the scene of local vehicles parked on bike lanes causing cyclists to zigzag between cars.

    If you opt for public transport to explore Nice, you can leave the car at one of the Park & Ride facilities along the tram line. Parking near the Old Town can get pricey. Therefore it is best to book a 7-day deal and save.

    Nice Airport

    Rent a car at Nice Airport to start off your holiday the right way. Picking up the rented vehicle directly from the airport is the easiest option if you are flying into Nice. The third busiest airport in France, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport has plenty of facilities to make your stay a pleasant one. Many car hire suppliers - our business partners - have on-site presence with counters in the Arrivals Hall. These are open until 10 pm. Should you be arriving later, you will need to take a free shuttle bus to the Car Rental Centre at Terminal 2, Gate A3. Please note that in most cases you will be charged an extra fee for being out-of-hours if your rental commences or ends out of the standard working hours of the car hire company. This information can be found on your rental voucher, along with the list of necessary documents such as ID, a driving licence, a credit card, among others.

    Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE)
    Address: Rue Costes et Bellonte, 06206 Nice, France
    Location:The airport is located about 5 miles south-west from Nice. It is situated in the Alpes-Maritimes départment of France.Airlines operating at Nice Airport: Numerous airlines connect Nice with other world destinations. Some of the airlines flying from the UK to Nice are British Airways, easyJet, Brussels Airlines, germanwings, Swiss and SAS.
    Official website: Nice Airport
    Phone number: +33 820 42 33 33

    What to do in Nice

    Auto Europe has put together a short list of places to visit during your stay in Nice.

    • Old Town or le Vieux Nice: The unmissable place in Nice is the Old Town, a magical neighbourhood consisting of numerous squares, alleys and charming Mediterranean old villas. Simply wander through the winding narrow streets and forget all about time. Treat yourself to a homemade ice-cream at Rossetti Square and spend some time people-watching and soaking up the sun.

    • Cunégonde et Malabar: A curious place and the home of an artist, Cunégonde et Malabar is its owner expression speaking up against conventional architectural styles. Step inside to see all kinds of random objects such as giant gnomes, old clocks, toilets and signs scattered around the entire place.

    • Castle Hill: Overlooking the Old Town is Le Parc de la Colline du Château or the Castle Hill Park, distinguished for its best vantage points and sweeping views of Nice. Walk up the steps or take the elevator from Rue des Ponchettes all the way up and enjoy the sunset over the Bay of Nice.

    • Take a stroll from Nice to Villefranche sur Mer: Start your afternoon stroll at Coco Beach and walk to the Cap de Nice. Go past the Palais Materlink cliffs. Keep walking down the stairs past the Palace and you will eventually reach the port Vilefranche Darse. You will enjoy this light hike with the sea alongsideyou for the most part of the way.

    • Massena Museum: Believed to be the most beautiful and elegant villa on the entire Promenade des Anglais, the stunning mansion houses a museum with various types of artwork, the personal belongings of Napoleon and Josefine being the most prominent artifacts. Guided tours are offered only in French. Visit the villa not only for the art on display, but also for its beauty and magnificent style.

    Best day trips with my car rental in Nice

    Tour Southern France in a convertible and enjoy fantastic views of the flawless turquoise sea, chic and luxurious resorts on the French Riviera and quaint hill top villages in the backdrop. Rent a car in Nice and visit:

    Cannes

    Famous for its popular film festival, Cannes is swarming with celebrities not only in May, but is an all year-round place to visit on the French Riviera. Stroll along La Croisette past the festival palace and you will see high-calibre cars, yachts in the marina, glamorous people and luxury boutiques. This is where the action is! For some history and a sweeping view of Cannes, climb up the hill in the Old Town to the church Notre Dame d'Esparance. For less glamour and even more buzz and local flair, be sure to wander through the maze of streets around Rue Meynadier.

    Top Hill Villages

    One of the local attractions are the top hill villages in Southern France. These medieval settlements were built on hardly accessible hills along with a castle or a church. Perched on a rock, these villages are scenic, sometimes hidden, but always a great experience. Once inside a walled village, you will feel like a time traveller!

    St. Tropez

    Undoubtedly one of the most elegant places on the French Riviera, St. Tropez was formerly a sleepy fishing village. Today St. Tropez is a synonym for jet-set. Feel like a millionaire for a day – spend a lazy day in St. Tropez, sip on espresso in the morning, walk down the cobbled streets and enjoy the seascape from the Vieux Port.

    Geographic Information & History

    Nice is located in the south of France on the Cote d'Azur and is not only the fifth largest city in France, but also the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department. Its population nearly doubles during summer months. While Nice lies in a bay and is mostly flat, it is surrounded by hills, which makes for a wonderful backdrop. Travellers take delight in over 300 sunny days a year, beautiful beaches and the vicinity of Provence.

    Nice was founded in the 4th century BC as Nikaia by ancient Greeks. French and Italian aristocrats ruled the city throughout centuries until it finally became part of France in the 19th century. The British also left a mark on the city – the most popular promenade in Nice is called Promenade des Anglais and it reflects British influence, particularly in architecture. Today’s Nice is an exclusive resort but it also sees an increasing number of budget travellers changing the typical tourist profile of this popular destination.

    How to get around Nice

    There are about 130 regular bus routes serving all towns in Côte d'Azur including five night routes. In the town of Nice, you can take advantage of numerous tram and bus lines along with the bus routes connecting the airport with the bus and train station. Most bus services run only until 7pm while tram lines run until midnight. Bus tickets can be obtained on the bus and the most affordable option are day passes. At tram stops there are ticket machines for purchasing tram tickets.

    The local authorities have established a popular bicycle sharing system called Velo Bleu. You can subscribe for this service for a day, week, month or even one whole year if you are planning on staying longer in Nice. The system has lately experienced some difficulties so you may want to try other options for renting a bicycle such as small local rental shops.

    If you wish to visit Corsica, there is a regular ferry service connecting Nice with the island. However, you will first need to check with your car hire supplier if the vehicle can be taken on the ferry and whether you need a special insurance for such a trip.

    Useful links

    Tourism Information