◾ 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