◾ Roads in in France

France's convenient road system includes over 9,000 km of highways called autoroutes, most of which are toll roads where the cost of driving them is determined by the length of the trip. These roads are marked in blue with the letter A, and the other national roads and local roads are marked in green with the letters N and D respectively.
 

◾ Collecting/returning the car at Geneva or Basel airports

The airports of the cities of Geneva and Basel are located on the border between Switzerland and France.
Because of this, it is possible to leave the airport to any of the two countries within a standard check-in procedure after collecting the luggage. It is important to pay attention to the signage that is located around the airport, and go to the relevant country. So if the rental voucher in your possession states that the car is picked up or returned in France, you must go to the French side. 
Also, at the end of the rental, it is very important to return the vehicle to where it was taken from the French side marked with ‘Sector Français’ signage. Please note that if the vehicle is returned on the Swiss side, the vehicle supplier will charge a significant return fee.
 

◾ Driving in a rental car in France

In many cities in France there are blue zones (zone bleue) that allow free parking for those with a special permit (disque de contrôle/stationnement) which you can purchase in travel agencies, stores or kiosks. You can park for free during week days between 09:00-12:00 and again between 14:00-19:00. If you don't have the permit you will have to use parking meters (horodateurs). On weekends and during august (the vacance) parking is free almost everywhere.
 

Another important sign you should pay attention to regarding parking in France is stationnement alterné semi-mensuel. On streets that have this sign you can park on one side of the road for the first half of a month and on the other side for the other half, according to what the sign specifies. Please note that parking on one-way streets in France is available on the left side only.

◾ Fuel in France

It is recommended to pay attention to the markings of the various pumps and to find out which fuel is suitable for the car you took at the rental station. 95 and 98 octane unleaded gasoline, diesel (gazole), gas refueling, a substitute for leaded gasoline called "super carburant" as well as a fuel called SP95-E10 which includes ethanol for reduced emissions of greenhouse gases, this is a more ecological option but it is not suitable for every vehicle, therefore it is recommended to check this in advance.

◾ Travelling outside of France with the rented car

It is possible to travel from France to neighboring countries. Be sure to mark the countries to which you wish to travel to already when you start booking the car on our website (or telling our representative if you are making the booking via phone), so you will receive written confirmation from the supplier and will be covered in terms of insurance and road service.

Please note that in some countries in Europe, a special sticker is required for driving on highways, which you can purchase in kiosks at the borders.

The responsibility of purchasing the sticker is the renter's alone, so make sure to stick it according to the local guide and make sure whether a sticker is needed whenever you exit a country and enter another.

Driving in France during winter

◾ Winter tires in France

Please note that as of November 1, 2021, new regulations entered into force in France regarding driving in 48 selected areas of the country until March 31. For your convenience, we have prepared a map where the areas where it is mandatory to drive with winter tires are marked.
 

It is the driver's responsibility to verify whether and to what extent his planned driving route passes through the areas in question, as well as to equip himself with the appropriate equipment - i.e. winter tires or snow chains.
 

Please note that the rental companies only provide snow chains at some of the rental stations and that it is currently not possible to order vehicles equipped with winter tires, so it's your responsibility to make sure that you have the necessary equipment for the road conditions you plan to travel on, especially uphill to mountainous/snowy areas. If there are no snow chains at the station and/or you plan to travel in the areas marked on the map, you must purchase and install the required equipment independently.
 

Violation of installing and driving without winter tires and/or snow chains as required will result in a fine of 135 euros, and also the insurance coverage will not be valid in case of damage to the rented vehicle.
 

◾ Snow chains in France

Snow chains are mandatory in snowy areas. They must be installed according to the signs and ordered in advance from the rental company (available at the rental stations from which it is customary to leave for the ski resorts such as Geneva, Lyon, and Grenoble).
The use of snow chains is subject to signage and road conditions and requires driving at low speed.
Please note: the snow chains must be ordered in advance, and make sure before you leave the station that they are in the car and that the assembly instructions are clear to you.
 

◾ Ski Racks

Some of the rental companies offer a ski rack for rent to connect to the rental car. The ski rack must be ordered in advance. The rack is only suitable for two pairs of skis and is an additional charge to be paid when picking up the car.
Please note that it is not possible to attach the rack to all vehicle groups. It is recommended to find out in advance that it is indeed possible to add him to the invited category.
 

◾ Driving a diesel/electric vehicle during winter time

Please note, that in very low temperatures, diesel fuel may freeze, so it's important to prepare accordingly when you are in driving in especially cold conditions. It is recommended to park the vehicle in a covered parking lot and purchase anti-freeze liquid to prevent the freezing of the fuel. Also note that electric cars are also affected by the cold, and it is possible to experience a drop of up to 30% in the range of use of the battery.
 

For more tips regarding renting a car during wintertime click here

and for important tips regarding renting a car abroad click here

Booking a car in France with Ofran will allow you to enjoy the benefits of traveling with a rental car in France, exploring all the sites and attractions that interest you, and having the freedom to do so according to your schedule.

Also, you'll be able to choose from a wide range of car groups the most suitable car for your vacation in an easy and comfortable process and with great prices.

Ofran wishes you a safe and pleasant trip with your rental car in France

The romantic streets of Paris or the lavender fields of Provence, most of you can probably recognize these magical sights in an instant. But this wonderful country offers endless other options for a trip, whether as a couple, family, vacation with friends or vacation alone. We have collected some central suggestions from north to south, for locations that you can easily reach by renting a car in France.
 

Cannes

Renting a car in Cannes is particularly convenient for those arriving at Nice airport (see Car rental in Nice).
Cannes is situated on the French Riviera in the south of France and has a huge potential to be the highlight of your summer vacation in France. Imagine walking on the promenade of La Croisette, lounging on the beach, shopping, parties and luxury hotels, all of these will make up a dream summer vacation. Rubbing shoulders with the celebrities visiting the beaches won't hurt the feeling of glamour either.
 

The Cannes Film Festival

The festival is held every year in May, adds a cultural touch and even more glamour. But don't let the exclusivity and all the descriptions of luxury scare you, the destination is visited by tourists of all kinds who are interested in different types of vacation and budgets- Cannes has a place for everyone.
 

The villages of the Alsace region

The Alsace region on the eastern border of the country houses some of the most magical and picturesque villages. The capital of this region is Strasbourg, and you can enjoy the villages and green hills here by renting a car in Strasbourg. In each of the special villages in Alsace, there are pastel painted and wooden houses, ancient churches, flowery terraces and cobbled streets.
This region of the country is a paradise for flower lovers, many villages in it have won awards for the cultivation of flowers there and the use made of them to decorate the houses and the entire village.
 

Bretagne (Brittany)

In the area of ​​the northeastern coast of France you can find a piece of history that is spectacular in its beauty. A pristine and rugged coastline, with quiet fishing towns characterize the area, as well as age-old traditions, celebrations and festivals, most of which revolve around legends and myths that tell the story of the place.
Renting a car in Nantes will allow you to plan your trip in this region comfortably and without missing any attraction, however unique and hidden it may be.

France with children

This country with a thousand shades, offers entertainment options for children in any area you choose to travel and renting a car in France is the best and most convenient option for such a family trip.
 

Skiing with children in France

The French Alps provide a skiing experience for the whole family, and a multitude of opportunities for the first introduction to winter sports for the young. In almost every ski resort you can find a ski school for children from the age of 4, and many resorts even have jardins de neige, snow gardens, which are intended for younger people who want to enjoy the snow, but are not yet ready for particularly complex exercises.
 

Amusement parks in France

Of course, at the top of the list of parks you can find Disneyland, Paris. The world of Disney offers, as usual, a place to create family memories, and a well-organized experience in a world of fairy tales.

The Vulcania park in Auvergne, central France, is located on the ridge of an inactive volcano, thus allowing an observation into the earth. You can go underground, enjoy interactive displays and amusement facilities in the spirit of the volcano.

In the huge park Futuroscope in the department of Vienne, near the city of Poitiers, you will enter a world full of science fiction movies, robots, installations and displays of technologies you never imagined existed. You may come there for the children, but an educational and fascinating experience is guaranteed for the whole family.

Shopping in France

From boutique shopping that will help you adopt Parisian chic to the big outlets, France is a country that loves style and fashion, and as such it has a lot to offer in the shopping department. If you are interested in a shopping experience that you will not find in other countries, it is recommended to focus your efforts on the Champs Elysées boulevard in Paris.

This is a shopping avenue that is not only the best and most recommended in Paris, but among the best and recommended shopping areas in the entire world. The length of the avenue is about two kilometers. Restaurants, cafes and brand stores fill the street on both sides, and a sparkling atmosphere reflected by the "local" fashion stores - Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and more.

If you still choose to shop at one of the more affordable outlets, La Vallée Village, located outside of Paris, will offer you well-known brands at more popular prices, and if you're lucky, maybe even a sale on one of the luxury brands.