Book Car Hire : Car Hire in France - Book your Car Hire in France Online and Save!

Car Hire France

Car hire in France can be wonderful way of exploring the country or region and enabling you to explore the untouched areas where tourist day trips do not reach. Below is some general information which will help your car rental in France be a pleasurable experience.

Currency
Euros

Time difference
1 hour ahead of gmt

Bank opening
open weekdays
0900-1200 and 1400-1600

regionally some closed monday

Public holidays
New years day - 1 jan
Good friday - 18 april 2003 easter monday - 21 april 2003
Llabour day - 1 may
Victory day - 8 may
Ascension day - may 29 2003
Whit sunday 8 june 2003 whit monday - 9 june 2003
Bastille day - 14 july
Assumption - 15 aug
All saints day - 1 nov
Rememberance day - 11 nov
Christmas day - 25 dec

Driving rules
Speed limits
Built-up-areas: 31mph (50kmh), outside towns: 56mph (90kmh), priority roads and toll free motorways: 68mph (110kmh), toll motorways: 81mph (130kmh).

Drink and driving
blood alcohol limit is 50mg - barely 1 unit of alcohol.

General driving
Traffic on major roads has priority. where two major roads cross traffic coming from the right has priority as warned by the sign 'danger prioritè à droite'. where there is no sign, give way to the right.

Traffic on a roundabout has priority and signs saying 'cedez le passage' or 'vous n'avez pas le prioritè'. in some areas the old rule of traffic entering roundabouts having priority applies so be cautious where there are no signs.

If a driver flashes his headlights in france, he is generally indicating that he has priority and you should give way. this can be confusing as in the uk it usually indicates that a car is letting you out.

Stopping for someone waiting at a zebra crossing is a finable offence for holding up traffic. the crossings indicate where is best to cross.

Do not overtake a tram when it is stationary with passengers alighting or boarding.

Traffic lights don't show amber after red. flashing amber means continue with caution.

At night park on the right.

It is compulsory for front and rear seat occupants to wear seat belts if fitted.

Carrying a warning triangle or hazard warning lights is compulsory. it is recommended that visitors equip their vehicle with replacement bulbs.

Travel tips
France, the biggest country in western europe, has a wealth of contrasts. to the west, brittany's landscape resembles cornwall while the loire valley is home to ancient châteaux and the atlantic coast has miles of spectacular beaches.

the champagne region to the north east is flatter than the gentle wine-growing slopes of burgundy to the south. the snowy and icy conditions in the alps and pyrenees demand careful driving between november and march.