Zest Car Rental

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Car Hire in France.

Search for car hire deals in France

  • Free Cancellation
  • Excess Protection
  • 24/7 Support
  • Fair Fuel Policy
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What our customers say

The Zest booking process is clear and straightforward. I have confidence that Zest would support me if there were any issues. I've rented from Europcar Nantes airport 3 times and they've always been great.

Stephen - Nantes Airport, 4 days ago

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Compare the best France car hire deals

Search for the best car hire deals in France with Zest for inclusive deals you won't find anywhere else. Excess protection as standard along with free cancellations and amendments if your plans change. Compare deals for SUVs, Compact, 7 seaters and convertibles - you're in safe hands when you book France car rental with us.  
 
Booking your car hire in France with Zest means you’re ensuring a smooth, easy, and stress-free experience. Whether you’re booking with Keddy France, Hertz or one of our other providers, you’ll always be welcomed with exceptional customer service. 
  
Whether you are picking up your car from Nice Airport, Marseille Airport or Bordeaux Airport. getting around by car is the best way to enjoy France. 

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Which car rental company should I book with in France?

We work with a wide range of the best car hire providers in France. This means you can compare car hire prices with huge multi-national companies like Europcar and Hertz as well as smaller companies like Firefly or Keddy. Whoever you book with in France you'll have excess protection included as standard as well as unlimited mileage and a free additional driver in many locations.

EUROPCAR KEDDY THRIFTY HERTZ DOLLAR DRIVALIA SICILY BY CAR SIXT ENTERPRISE FLEX TO GO

Book with Zest Car Rental in France

We take a fresh, honest approach to car hire. Our booking process is simple: clear pricing, no hidden costs, and no small print to sweat over. We want you to relax and look forward to your holiday, not worry about the logistics.

Unlock the real France

France is famous for its world-class gastronomy, sprawling vineyards, and iconic cultural landmarks, but it is also the perfect gateway to spectacular regional road trips and scenic coastal routes.

A scenic drive through the southern regions brings you along the glamorous French Riviera or into the lavender-filled valleys of Provence. Navigating these sun-drenched routes reveals secluded hilltop villages, historic châteaux, and dramatic coastal cliffs that traditional public transport networks cannot easily access.

Further north and west, a rental vehicle gives you the freedom to explore at your own comfortable pace. You can drive through the historic timber-framed villages of Normandy, trace the dramatic coastlines of Brittany, or follow the famous wine routes of Bordeaux and the Loire Valley.

Having complete control over your itinerary allows you to stop at rural morning markets, explore remote countryside paths, and discover family-run bistros completely free from rigid group tour schedules.

Can I take my rental car across national borders?

Given France's central position in Europe, many travelers want to extend their road trip across borders into neighboring destinations like Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Portugal, Spain, or Switzerland. Please be aware that each provider enforces completely individual regulations regarding border crossings.

To check what options are available for your journey, we recommend generating a live quote on our website where eligible cars will be explicitly labeled with exact permissions or local fees.

Our Fleet in France

At Zest Car Rental, we offer a wide range of vehicles in France to suit every type of traveller. Fuel-efficient economy cars and compact models are highly practical for navigating narrow medieval city lanes and finding parking in busy urban districts like Paris, Lyon, or Marseille.

If you plan to explore the extensive motorway networks, carry substantial holiday luggage, or navigate regional routes with family, choosing a spacious intermediate vehicle or a full-size SUV can provide additional power, cargo capacity, and interior comfort for long journeys.

One Way Rentals in France

In France, you can pick up your car and drop it off at a different location, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. One-way rentals are perfect for iconic cross-country road trips, city-to-city travel, or flexible itineraries, such as collecting your vehicle in Paris and returning it in a southern hub like Nice.

Please note that each provider sets their own rules for one-way rentals, and some may apply a mandatory local fee. This is clearly shown during the booking process.

Driver Age Requirements in France

Can I rent a car in France if I am under 25?
Yes. However, many providers apply a Young Driver Surcharge and may restrict access to luxury vehicle categories. Conversely, some providers allow younger drivers to rent with no extra fees at all.

Can I rent a car in France if I am over 70?
Yes. While some providers apply a Senior Driver Fee or have upper age limits, others welcome senior drivers with zero restrictions or extra costs.

What is the best time of year to explore France by car?

The ideal time to explore France on a driving holiday is during the spring months of April to June or the autumn months of September to October. During these periods, you can enjoy beautifully mild temperatures, clear skies, and highly comfortable driving conditions while completely avoiding the intense peak summer heat and dense holiday traffic along the coast.

The summer months of July and August bring continuous sunshine but also major congestion around popular coastal resorts, particularly along the Mediterranean A8 autoroute network, where booking rental vehicles well in advance is highly recommended.

The winter months of November to March bring much cooler temperatures and increased rainfall. High routes and mountain regions can experience sudden snow and ice, which may require appropriate seasonal precautions. Winter tyres or snow chains may be required or strongly recommended in certain provinces or mountainous regions during winter months.

Essential Tips for Driving in France

Driving in France is conducted on the right-hand side of the road, with overtaking executed on the left. Most toll roads in France use distance-based pricing systems on the major autoroute networks, where you typically collect a ticket at an entry barrier and pay upon exit using cash or credit cards. Additionally, select routes are transitioning to cashless, free-flow electronic tolling gantries that scan registration plates automatically.

Many providers either use electronic toll tags or allow you to process payments online following your journey. Low-emission zones in certain cities may require a specific environmental windscreen badge, known locally as a Crit'Air vignette, depending on emissions compliance rules.

France enforces strict drink-driving laws and penalties can be severe. If you plan to drive, the safest approach is not to consume alcohol before getting behind the wheel.

Check current local requirements regarding the use of dipped headlights or daytime running lights, as rules may vary depending on conditions and road type.

When navigating town centers and older historic junctions, motorists should remain highly alert for the historic *priorité à droite* rule, which means vehicles entering from the right have right-of-way unless specific priority signs state otherwise. Outside the major cities, maintain a defensive driving style to account for sudden speed limit changes near rural communes and slow-moving agricultural vehicles on secondary lanes.

Ski Holidays in France with Zest Car Rental!

Renting a car on your next ski holiday provides flexibility and convenience to explore multiple ski resorts in the area. In addition, renting a car provides ample space to store your ski equipment. This eliminates the need to carry them around on public transport, offering more comfort. Check out our blog on the best skiing experiences! 

If you’re planning a skiing break, then the French Alps will no doubt feature on your list. Geneva Airport - French Side is close to resorts such as Chamonix, Avoriaz, and La Clusaz whilst the Italian border is also within a short driving distance. Geneva is a great place from which to start your winter sports holiday. Chamonix is a world-famous resort town at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps. This resort offers a variety of slopes for all skill levels and is renowned for its stunning scenery.  

If you’re visiting the western French Alps, Chambery Airport offers easy access to resorts such as Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes. Chambery is also only 30 minutes from the beautiful lakeside town of Annecy if you’re visiting in summer.

France is an amazing ski destination, whether you are a beginner or seasoned skier.

Useful Facts

  • Currency: Euro (€)
  • Side of the road to drive on: Right 
  • Time Difference: France is 1 hour ahead of the United Kingdom (GMT+1)
  • Dialling Code: +33

Travelling to France in the Winter?

At Zest, our providers can include winter tyres, snow chains and ski racks as additional inclusions! Simply select this during the booking process if you require any optional extras. Discover our tips for collecting a rental car in the winter! 

Need to contact us on rental?

We hope that your holiday and car hire collection go smoothly, however we understand that things don’t always go to plan.

If your flight is cancelled or delayed, please let us know right away on +44 1362 852288.

If you experience an issue upon collection or you’re not happy about something, please do not hesitate to get in touch! Contact us today and we will liaise with the car rental provider to resolve any problems.

Book now

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Places to hire in France

Average customer rating for car hire in France

(4.67 out of 5.00) based on 730 responses to our customer survey.

Popular locations in France

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Zest's Top 5 Tourist Attractions in France!

  1. Versailles

    One of the most stunning Royal palaces in the world. If you haven’t seen it, you must.

  2. Camargue

    Horses, Flamingos, and bulls abound in this other worldly reserve south of Arles.

  3. Château de Chambord

    The 2nd most visited palace after Versailles. A masterpiece of the French Renaissance.

  4. Gorge du Verdon

    One of Europe’s most beautiful gorges. The emerald green river lies 2,300ft below the top of the gorge.

  5. Chartres Cathedral

    A beautiful Cathedral that has changed only slightly since the 13th century.

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