On the road

France is more than Paris. I’ve definitely been this person. I only visited Paris and thought that I had ‘done’ France. While Paris is the capital and has an enormous amount to offer, the country is so varied that you need to explore more of what this beautiful country has to offer.

When visiting France there are a multitude of ways to get around. Public transportation, trains and short-haul planes abound for getting you from A to B. If you’re set on discovering the country with a car, there are a couple of things to know.

Rental car roulette. There a few routes to consider when renting a car. If you are arriving on an international flight, it might be easiest to rent a car directly from the airport. This will be the most expensive option, but definitely the most convenient.
If you looking for other options than renting from the airport, you can rent from a traditional company in most major cities. Note - outside of major cities, there are not a lot of options for rental cars.
On the budget end of the spectrum, you can rent from the supermarket. You heard me: the supermarket. Chains like SuperU, E. Leclerc, Carrefour, and Intermarché offer vehicle rentals. A few key points on this options: 1. you will probably need to have an international driver’s licence 2. you will need a proof of address 3. you need to return the vehicle clean and full of fuel. While this option is definitely the cheapest, be aware that there will be more difficulty with pickups and returns as the supermarket hours will be more limited than a traditional car rental company. AND, you need to return it to the SAME supermarket. You cannot pickup and drop off the vehicle to different locations.

Roundabouts are king. Most intersections in France have roundabouts. Are they efficient? Yes. Are they a bit scary when they have multiple lanes? Also, yes. The best advice I have for you is to yield when unsure, always use your turn signals, and Google any unknown traffic signs. And hopefully you won’t end up like the Griswolds.

Roadside stops. Beyond the customary gas stations and eateries, you’ll find plenty of “Aire de _____” along the way. These rest stops are often equipped with picnic tables, bathrooms, and charging stations. These spots are often wooded and are a welcome respite during long drives.

Toll highways. There are over 90 toll routes in France. The ‘autoroutes’ are all named with the letter “A” and the sections that have tolls will be liberally marked. You are charged by the type of vehicle you drive (car, motorcycle, RV, etc) and you can pay with cash or card at the exits. You can take detours to avoid these toll highways, but it will definitely add time to your journey.

Speed demons beware. Most of the A highways have a speed limit of 130km/h. While this is sufficiently fast for most people, some do feel the need for speed. France has a lot of speed cameras along their roads, so beware! They will catch you and you’ll be receiving that ticket in the mail once you get home. So don’t speed! (*this PSA is brought to you by someone who has personally been affected by speed cameras)