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Car Hire in France.

Search for car hire deals in France

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Don't just take our word for it …

Always use Zest when we can - confident in your service

David Graham - Cannes Rail Station, 1 week ago

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. 

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 RENTSCAPE

Book with Zest Car Rental in France! 

Zest Car Rental provides a fresh and honest approach to hiring a car in France. At Zest, we know how important transparency is when booking car rental. Our four-step booking process is simple and hassle-free, with no hidden costs or extras. At Zest, we know when planning your trip, you shouldn’t have to sweat the details and focus on the small print. Instead, you can relax and look forward to your holiday, without getting lost in car rental complications! 
 
We also know that sometimes, plans change. Therefore, we offer free cancellation and amendments up to 48 hours before your rental start as standard. Should you require it, we also offer enhanced cancellation protection for a small fee. This offers you free cancellation right up to the time your rental starts! 
 
Zest Car Rental only works with carefully selected and trusted car rental providers in France who care as much about reputation as we do, and always put the customer first. All our providers are monitored closely, and we review customer feedback frequently to ensure you receive the best rental experience possible. Our amazing customer feedback has meant we are ranked ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot. Also, Zest Car Rental are Feefo Platinum Trusted! You can read our Feefo reviews here!  
 
Stay protected with Zest! We offer breakdown assistance in France as standard. Should you wish to be fully covered, we can provide you with our industry leading top-up insurance. Our top-up insurance is the top level of cover available provided by us. You’ll receive reimbursement cover against any loss or damage to the vehicle not covered by the standard car hire insurance. To find out what is covered on our top-up insurance, check out our blog! You can rest assured we’ve made things as simple as possible so you can focus on enjoying your holiday and exploring hidden gems! 
 
If you wish to share the driving on holiday, we have negotiated a free additional driver with many of our trusted car rental providers! If your chosen provider does include a free additional driver, this will be clearly labelled on the quote page. Generate a quick and easy quote today! 
 
All rental providers we work with operate a fair fuel policy. This means you either collect the car full of fuel then return it full or return it with the same amount provided upon collection. Hassle-free and straightforward! Learn more about fair fuel policies here
 
If you ever have any queries before, during or after your car rental, our friendly customer support team is here to help you. We can even provide you with a quote or make your booking over the telephone! Our U.K. based call centre is open 7 days a week. Wherever you are, Zest are! We operate a 24/7 Customer Support Telephone line for any urgent enquiries during out of office hours.  
 
The great inclusions Zest offers with every rental has led to us being the one and only Which? Recommended Car Hire Broker, an accolade we have earnt every year since 2017! Which? Concluded that Zest Car Rental goes ‘beyond for their customers’ and awarded Zest with a five-star rating for the clarity of the final hire cost. Fresh, Honest and Transparent! 

Since 1st January 2021, if you have an old paper style UK driving license, you may need an International Driving Permit to hire a car in France.

Driving in France

A Zest Car Rental hire car is the ultimate way to discover France. Driving in France is very similar to driving in many other European countries. You'll drive on the right and overtake on the left. Remember, book today with Zest to get excess protection included as standard and access to our 24/7 telephone support should you need it. For more info about the driving rules in France, check out our driving guide.

Should I hire a car in France with Zest Car Rental?

The most beautiful areas of France are inland, far away from airports. A rental car gives you the opportunity to really discover as much as you want. Whether you’re exploring the hilltop villages of Provence or the beaches of St Tropez, a car gives you the freedom to explore different landscapes at your own pace.

Whether you’re looking to hit the slopes in the Alps, explore wine country or laze on a beach on the Côte d'Azur this is a country that certainly caters to all tastes. Book your car hire in France today with Zest to experience everything that the French Mainland has to offer.

Visit Geneva and you’ll be spoilt for choice at any time of year. Head into the city to see the Jet d’Eau and the striking Palace of Nations. Make your way into the Alps for fantastic skiing in winter and stunning walks in the summer. Alternatively, you can make your way towards the Italian border to take in Mont Blanc or drive over to Annecy and explore the shores of its famous lake.

Hit the French Alps this Winter!

If you’re keen to learn about wine, take a tour of the Loire Valley. There are numerous vineyards to explore and some of the best wines in the world are waiting for you. Its fairy-tale Châteaux offer a fascinating glimpse into a time of extravagance and will captivate you and leave you longing to return.

Explore the best French Vineyards!

Can I take my French rental car into another country?

Renting a car and venturing into neighbouring countries is a fantastic way to embrace the spirit of adventure! The freedom to explore at your own pace, discover hidden gems and the local culture is an experience unlike any other. The countries are providers allow you to travel into on your rental are: 

Please be aware that each provider has different regulations on which countries you can take your rental car into. This is labelled during the booking process. Simple and hassle-free! 

Where can I rent a car in France with Zest Car Rental?

There are so many places to base a holiday in France. We offer our services at many of the country’s airports, including:

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport – What is there not to love about Paris? The capital of France is filled with magnificent museums, unique monuments, and vibrant boulevards. Choose from the Catacombs, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Vietnamese Quarter for a wonderful city break before spending a day at Versailles – easily reached via car.

If you want to explore the north of France, then fly to Le Havre Airport. The former industrial region has been transformed in recent years. Mind you, such natural delights as the Brotonne Forest and the River Seine demonstrates that Mother Nature has also helped to make northern France a remarkable sight.

With vineyards to sample some freshly made wine, Vinotherapie spas to relax those aching muscles, and beautiful Roman architecture – Bordeaux has it all in abundance. However, the airport is a half hour drive from Bordeaux itself so it’s best to pick up your car at Bordeaux Airport itself.

The French Riviera is a holiday paradise that is unrivalled across the rest of Europe, with Nice Airport the perfect gateway to this lavish region. Relax as you take a peaceful boat trip around Monte Carlo’s picturesque harbour or soak up the sun on a fabulous beach in Cannes – you couldn’t ask for a better backdrop. If you’re after a more upmarket setting, why not head over to Beaulieu-sur-Mer for a wonderful meal by the water’s edge?

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.

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Travel tips and blogs

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Articles about France

Places to hire in France

Average customer rating for car hire in France

(4.62 out of 5.00) based on 538 responses to our customer survey.

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.

France travel guide
France driving guide