Renting a car in France means trying to really understand this amazing country without restricting yourself by the tourist bus route. Together with the car keys you get a chance to see the vineyards of Bordeaux and Champagne, to admire the castles of the Loire ... To ride with the wind over Cannes, to make a breather in Normandy - all within the same vacation. In French car rental will be louer une voiture, the order is better done in advance. At the same time, only the category of cars is guaranteed, but not a specific model.

The roads in France are of good quality. The so-called vacation routes are designed to avoid traffic jams, which occur during peak hours even on toll roads, and are indicated by green signs. The best time to travel by car is the end of the first week of August and the beginning of the last (holiday season), as well as the Friday evening on the outskirts of Paris and the evening of Sunday at the entrance to it (exactly as in Moscow!). At gas stations and stations you can ask for a free road map of the region.

To rent a car in France you will need a IDP and a credit card (sometimes two). The driver must be over 21 years old (for some models older than 23 years) and have a driving experience of at least a year. In large companies, you may need to pay a "young driver's fee" if you are under the age of 25.

The car rental price in France usually includes: unlimited mileage, car damage insurance (CDW) and VAT. Additionally paid insurance against theft, child seat, the second driver. The machine is issued with a full tank of fuel and must be returned in the same condition. Usually, if the car is taken for 3 days or more, it can be rented in another city at no additional cost.

Fuel and refueling

Fuel types in France: 95th and 98th unleaded petrol (sans plomb) and diesel (gazole). In large cities, gas stations are usually open around the clock. On the highway fuel is more expensive than in the city.

The cost of 95th gasoline in France is 1, 55 EUR per liter. The current prices for gasoline and diesel fuel in France can be found here.

Traffic regulations

Compliance with high-speed drivers is controlled by radars, which on the roads of France are set a great number (and the signs warning of them are canceled). The GPS function, which indicates the location of the speed cameras, must be deactivated. The use of radar detectors is prohibited (not that in Spain!). The use of dipped headlights in the daytime is mandatory only in conditions of poor visibility and passage through tunnels.

Children under 10 years of age are prohibited in the front seat. A child seat or booster is compulsory for a child weighing less than 18 kg. In France, the use of seat belts by all passengers is mandatory. The leftmost row should remain free for overtaking. And one more immutable rule on the French roads: "The pedestrian is always right."

When renting a car it is worth checking the presence in it of the mandatory equipment: the sign of an emergency stop and a reflective waistcoat (used when leaving the car on the roadway or the roadside). It will not be superfluous to have a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit. From July 1, 2012, all drivers (including foreigners) are required to have a disposable breathalyzer in their vehicle to be able to test themselves before driving and not to drive behind a drunk.

Fines

Police officers may levy fines on place with a receipt. Do not try to offer a bribe to a policeman - you will get into trouble. Also remember that it is not accepted to argue with representatives of law in Europe.

Some amounts of fines: exceeding speed - from 68 to 1500 EUR; wrong parking - 17 EUR; violation of the rules of overtaking, travel to the red light - 135 EUR; non-use of seat belts - from 46 EUR; talking on the phone without hands free - from 35 EUR; the presence of alcohol in the blood is higher than normal and to 0, 8 ‰ - 135 EUR, more than 0, 8 ‰ - 4500 EUR and deprivation of rights up to 3 years; absence of a retro-reflective waistcoat - 90 EUR; absence of breathalyzer (from November 2012) - 11 EUR.

Toll roads

Travel on some roads in France is subject to payment depending on the distance and category of the vehicle. The fare is indicated on the scoreboard at the entrance to the paid site. Bank cards and cash are accepted. Toll roads in France are called Autoroute peage. They are indicated by the letter "A" on the blue road sign.

Sites with special payment (bridges and tunnels):

• Mont Blanc tunnel between the French Chamonix and the Italian Courmayeur (11, 6 km) - 38, 90 EUR one way , 48, 60 EUR there and back, and to come to the tunnel from Italy will be a little more expensive: the Frejus tunnel, also connecting France with Italy (12, 9 km), 38, 90 EUR one way, 48, 60 EUR back to the Tunnel under the English Channel (51 km) - the cost of driving the car with passengers (up to 9 people) one way 22 EUR (trip up to 2 days), 44 £ (return within 5 days d) and more. More information on tariffs and conditions, see the Eurotunnel website.
• Millau Viaduct (2, 5 km) - 6, 40 EUR and 8, 20 EUR (July, August)
• Normandy Bridge (2, 1 km) - 5, 20 EUR
• The Tankarville Bridge (1, 4 km) - 2, 5 EUR
• The Re Island Bridge (2, 9 km) - 9 EUR and 16, 5 EUR (from the middle of June to the middle of September) there and back
• Parking in the cities of France
• Many parking spaces in France are equipped with machines horodateurs, accepting for payment certain cards sold in tobacco kiosks. Normally, you can park for free from 19:00 to 7:00 on weekdays, at any time during weekends and holidays, and throughout August. In small towns it is additionally allowed to park for free from 12:00 to 13:30. You will find the exact information on the parking machine. Parking for longer than a day is prohibited (except for special long-term parking).

In Paris, you can pre-book a parking space on the Internet at www.parkingsdeparis.com. It is free of charge.

Standard designations: blue zone - for parking up to 1, 5 hours, green zone - for long-term parking, red zone - parking is prohibited. Places for paid parking are marked with white stripes and a sign P or Payant. In addition to Paris, parking problems often arise in the Cote d'Azur resorts.

National operator: National.

International companies: Avis, Budget, Hertz.

Discounter: Rentacar.
Rental brokers: Rentalcars, Drive Booker.

All prices are specified in June 2012. Cabriolet, Paris, France

Rent a car in France

Rent a car in France

Rent a car in France

Picturesque corners of Rouen

Rural roads

Get in the car , I'll go on serpentine