Paris, the capital of romance
Ahhhh, Paris!
From its picturesque châteaux to its glamourous seaside and snowy mountain retreats, France is full of romantic getaways. But the French capital is undoubtably the Romance Capital of the world. You could stroll along the Seine, tango in view of the Eiffel Tower or how about a candlelit meal in an oh-so-Parisienne café. If that's turning your stomach a little, the capital is also just a fabulous place to enjoy art, architecture, history and strolling.
Paris car hire
Make the most of your Paris car hire and explore the surrounding region... The palace of Versailles is just a short drive away and the gardens that Monet made famous are just 80kms west of Paris in Giverny. If you're up for a longer drive, you could enjoy the green pastures and beaches of Normandy and if you're a fan of the bubbly stuff, you can drive out to the Champagne region, which is less than 2 hours drive away. Seriously, what are you waiting for?
> Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport car hire: Terminal 1, Terminal 2 (ABCD) and Terminal 2 (EFG)
> Paris Orly Airport car hire: West Terminal, South Terminal
> Paris Gare du Nord car hire
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Provence, the French Riviera & Langeudoc
View from Notre Dame de la Garde, Marseille
Life in provence might feel like world away from the capital… but it's still ever so French! Provence can be summed up by charming and rustic towns, fields of lavender and olive trees and a coastline that is touched by the lovely clear waters of the Mediterranean. Exploring the land that inspired the likes of Van Gogh is best done with your own set of wheels so here's a quick look at a few of our popular France car hire destinations.
Marseille car hire
France's oldest city isn't generally seen as a top city break choice but Marseille is hoping to change all that starting with a year of culture as the 2013 European Capital of Culture. Enjoy a big plate of bouillabaisse, markets with a distinctly north African flavour and drive your Marseille car hire to where Notre Dame de la Garde watches over the city for spectacular views. You can enjoy a dip at the wonderful and unspoilt Calanques just a short drive away too!
> Marseille Airport car hire
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Nice car hire
The French Riviera has long attracted a well-heeled lot. From Nice, you are within easy reach of Monaco, Cannes and Saint-Tropez. It's no wonder the French Riviera (or Côtes d'Azur) feels distinctly glamourous. Don some big dark shades and you might soon find yourself rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous.
> Nice Airport car hire
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Perpignan car hire
Close to the border with Spain, Perpignan is as much a part of Catalunya as it is a part of France. The Pyrenees serve as a backdrop and the town itself is small and more rustic than other regional capitals in this part of France. Perpignan makes for a great place to base yourself whilst you explore the rich heritage of Cathar castles - the most famous of which are in Carcassone, an hour's drive away in a France car hire. It's a good starting point for enjoying the sea as well as the mountains... And also rather fabulous for enjoying the fruit (and juices) of the Languedoc region - where up to 40% of the country's wine is produced!
> Perpignan Airport car hire
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Arriving in the South of France elsewhere? We've got more France car hire locations here including Montpellier Airport car hire and Nîmes Airport car hire
The Atlantic coast
Sun, sand and surf in Biarritz
Photo by Milan Stankovic. A dramatic coastline that features miles and miles of sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and an inland that's lush with forests and pretty waterways.
Biarritz car hire
Surf's up on the Bay of Biscay! As well as the ever popular Biarritz, you can enjoy the great surf from smaller and less visited towns like Bayonne and Saint Jean de Luz. You're also not very far from the Spanish border. Make the most of your France car hire and drive over to San Sebastian and enjoy a Basque feast of pintxos.
> Biarritz Airport car hire
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La Rochelle car hire
Explore the Charente Maritime region from La Rochelle. There's something for all the family here from sandy beaches, ancient towns, golf courses and cognac! It's also referred to as the 'green Venice' for its extensive canal network.
> La Rochelle Airport car hire
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Brittany car hire and Normandy car hire
From Brittany to Normandy, there are rugged granite cliffs, pretty coves and green pastures… Just across the English Channel, this part of north-west France looks a little like the English south-west. But here's the important part - it's warmer! We've got France car hire at a selection of locations in this region for you to explore from. Try one of the following…
> Nantes Airport car hire
> Brest Airport car hire
> Saint Malo (Dinard) Airport car hire
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Alpine adventures
Snow fun at Alpe d'Huez
Photo by Richard Child. Reach heady heights at Alpe d'Huez, just an hour's drive from Grenoble.
Breathe in mountain-fresh-air with a trip to the French Alps. Whether you're skiing, hiking or just admiring them, there are several gateways to choose from. There's also a host of fabulous and historic towns for you to base yourself in away from the mountain resorts too…
From lively Lyon, which boasts top cultural attractions as well as a foodie scene that's both adventurous and sophisticated to picturesque Annecy full of medieval charm, ancient canals and its mountain backdrop.
> Chambéry Airport car hire
> Geneva (France car hire)
> Grenoble Airport car hire
> Lyon Airport car hire
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Wine country
Vineyards around Reims
Photo by Curtis Foreman. Hit the Champagne route with a Paris car hire. Prefer the non-sparkly stuff? France has lots more vin to enjoy too.
You'd be forgiven for thinking all of France was wine country. From Alsace at its border with Germany to the Mediterranean climes of the Languedoc region and beautiful Bordeaux in the west, wine focussed driving tours are a fabulous way to see France. Red, white, rosé and the sparkly stuff too. There are mountain settings, coastal settings, lush countryside settings and the spectacular Loire Valley where its châteaux give the area fairytale charm.
You can fly direct to wine regions including Bordeaux, Alsace (via Strasbourg), Burgandy (via Dijon), Loire Valley (via Poitiers, Angers or Tours) or make a wider trip of it and take in the capital first... Paris is just an hour and a half away from the Champagne region.
> Bordeaux Airport car hire
> Dijon Railway Station car hire
> Strasbourg Airport car hire
> Poitiers Airport car hire
< Paris car hire
< Provence and Languedoc car hire
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