A holiday in France conjures up images of lavender fields, sun-drenched villages and long evenings full of wine and conviviality. Many holidaymakers nowadays choose to travel to France by plane and rent a car there. It's comfortable, efficient and gives you the freedom to really explore the area during your holiday. At FranceComfort Holiday Parks you can stay in luxury holiday homes with a swimming pool or jacuzzi in beautiful French regions. With a rental car you can drive relaxed from the airport to your villa, without the long journey from the Netherlands or Belgium. In this blog, you can read everything about renting a car in France, from the best places to rent a car, to the conditions, rules and insurances. You will also discover why renting a car adds that little bit extra to your holiday at one of the FranceComfort Holiday Parks.
Why rent a car in France?
Renting a car in France means freedom, convenience and comfort. Instead of a long drive of a thousand kilometres, you fly relaxed to the south and your holiday starts immediately upon arrival. Half an hour after landing, you will usually already be in the car, on your way to your luxury holiday home in the South of France.
1. Comfortable and saves time
Traveling by plane will save you many hours on the road. A drive to the South of France can easily take 12 to 15 hours. You can reach your destination within a few hours by plane. You arrive feeling rested, after which you pick up your rental car at the airport and can make the short drive to your holiday park, avoiding a long travel day or traffic jams. Ideal if you are going on holiday to, for example, the Dordogne or Provence.
2. Less stress and fatigue
No traffic jams, no toll roads, no tired children in the back. The combination of flying and then renting a car means that you will arrive fresh and relaxed, especially if you have a rental car ready on arrival. You will save on fuel, save time searching for rest areas and there will be no need to pay attention to toll roads. From the moment you land at the airport, you can immediately enjoy your holiday in France.
3. Freedom during your holiday
With a rental car, you can discover the charm of France at your own pace. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want. From an afternoon at a local market in a Provençal village to a day of wine tasting or a tour of the tourist villages of the Dordogne, the pace is up to you.
4. Financially attractive
For a stay of one or two weeks, it is often cheaper to fly and rent a car on the spot. You save fuel, tolls and overnight costs on the way. Another benefit is that your own car does not get any wear and tear. In reality, if you stay for a few days to a week, driving yourself is about 15% more expensive, while you experience less comfort and more stress during your journey.
💡 Tip: If you are going on holiday with 4 people, flying might still be cheaper. The extra cost of a flight quickly equals the extra cost of an overnight stay.
5. Ideal for couples
For a short holiday with your partner, a rental car is ideal. Small, economical and manoeuvrable; perfect for driving together through French villages or driving a route along castles of the Dordogne and vineyards of Bergerac. You do not need to rent a large car, for a short holiday you only need to take limited luggage with you, which easily fits in the back seat of the car.
💡 Tip: rent a car with navigation or use Google Maps offline to easily find small villages and mountain roads.
Where is the best place to rent a car in France?
Car rental companies such as Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt and Enterprise are available at almost all French airports.
Airports with car rental
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport – ideal for the Dordogne or the Languedoc.
Bordeaux Airport – for holidays in the Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne.
Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport or Geneva – towards the French Alps.
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport or Marseille – for Provence and Côte d'Azur.
Upon arrival, you will usually find the car rental desks directly in or next to the terminal. You can book a car online in advance, so you only have to pick up the keys when you arrive. Check whether you will be driving through any environmental zones and if you thus need an environmental sticker.
How does renting a car in France work?
Renting a car in France is easy:
- Minimum age of 21 years (sometimes 25).
- Had your driver's license for at least 1 year.
- Credit card required for security deposit.
- Valid passport or ID card.
- Return with a full tank
Most rental cars are manual, but automatic cars are available on request. Some companies charge a surcharge for young drivers.
🔗 Read also: 5 reasons to fly to your holiday destination in France
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Car rental rules and conditions
France has clear rules for car rental:
- Only drivers who are listed on the contract are allowed to drive.
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas 80–90 km/h outside the city 130 km/h on highways (110 in case of rain)
- When making a phone call you are obliged to call hands-free.
- Alcohol limit: 0.5‰ (0.2‰ for novice drivers).
- Read more about Traffic Rules and Fines in France
Additional driver
Does your partner also want to drive the rental car? Add him or her as an additional driver to the rental. This is necessary in order to be insured
How are rental cars insured?
When renting a car in France, the following insurance policies are included as standard:
- Third-party insurance (liability)
- Theft insurance
- Damage insurance (CDW - Collision Damage Waiver)
You can opt for additional coverage, such as Super CDW or Zero Excess, which significantly reduces the deductible or even eliminates it. Always check carefully what is and is not covered. Good insurance gives peace of mind, especially if you drive through mountainous or rural areas.
💡 Always check whether damage to tires, windows and the underside of the car is also insured, seen as this differs per provider.
Why a rental car is a perfect fit for FranceComfort Holiday Parks
FranceComfort's holiday parks are located in the middle of nature, close to villages, castles and vineyards. A rental car makes it easy to explore the area. You can drive to local markets, restaurants or the river Lot for an afternoon of canoeing.
Luxury holiday homes with a pool or jacuzzi
After a day of driving through the French countryside, it is wonderful to come home to a holiday home with a private pool or a holiday home with a jacuzzi. Here you can combine comfort with the real French outdoors: breakfast on the terrace, barbecue in the evening sun, and relax with a good glass of wine.
Location of our holiday parks: Regions full of charm
- Dordogne: castles, rivers and gastronomy.
- Lot-et-Garonne: peace, space and vineyards
- Languedoc: sun and Mediterranean beaches
- Provence & Côte d'Azur: lavender fields and Mediterranean flair.
- Poitou - Charentes: rolling countryside, cycling and walking
- Alps: majestic mountains and beautiful views. Don’t forget your Winter Tires & Snow Chains when travelling in the winter
Whether you opt for a romantic couples getaway or a family vacation, a rental car gives freedom. You can properly experience the regions and enjoy wine tastings and medieval markets. You can determine your own pace and you can discover places that would otherwise remain inaccessible.
Why a rental car is ideal for couples
When travelling with two people, a rental car is particularly practical. You travel light, choose a compact model and don't have to worry about parking spaces or long car journeys. Moreover, you can fly to Nice or Bordeaux, for example, and travel around in complete freedom. Car rental can also be attractive for families, especially if you fly to the South of France and rent a spacious family car.
Why renting a car for a one week holiday is a good idea
For many travelers, a week's vacation is the perfect balance between relaxation and discovery.
- Affordable: car hire prices remain low.
- Flexible: You can visit multiple regions.
- Comfortable: no long car ride. Many holidaymakers fly to France for a week and rent a car there; A choice that saves time, money and energy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do I need an International Driver's License in France?
No, a Dutch or Belgian driver's license is sufficient.
2. Can I return the rental car at another branch?
Yes, this is often possible for a small additional charge (one-way rental).
3. Are child seats included?
No, book them in advance.
4. Can I cross country borders with the rental car?
Often allowed within the EU, check the conditions.
5. How does toll payment work?
Most highways have toll booths. You can pay with cash or credit card, a toll badge works best, especially at Fluxlibre.
Car rental and holiday feeling: freedom, comfort and experience
A rental car in France is more than practical transport, it is a combination of comfort and freedom. A trip to France by plane is more comfortable than by car. Having access to a rental car in France gives optimal freedom. You will drive through sun-drenched landscapes, past vineyards and old villages and can enjoy a picnic along the river. In the evening, return to your FranceComfort holiday home, take a dip in the pool or relax together in the jacuzzi. The smell of lavender, the sound of crickets, the calm of the countryside, that's what holidays in France are all about.
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