Best place to pick up a rental car in Paris

After a few days in Paris (using the Metro/RER for transportation), we will leave for the Dordonge and Provence regions where we%26#39;ll need a car.

Where is the best place to pick up a rental car in or around Paris when heading south? I don%26#39;t have a specific car rental company picked out yet.

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In July we are picking up our Autoeurope car rental in Places d%26#39; Italie. It is a straight drive to the Perifique. We also are going to Dordonge area via Bourges.

You do not say where you are staying. We have also picked up a car accross from a train station I think it was Gare d%26#39;Est. It was easy and direct to outer loop around Paris. Just make sure you exit on the correct auto route #. Your car rental company will give you a map and tell you which exit to take.

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We are staying in the 6th.

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If you want to avoid the experience of driving in Paris, as well as saving quite a few hours and liters of fuel getting to where you want to go, you might want to take the TGV to Avignon, about three hours from Paris, tour Provence and the Dordogne, drop your car off in Bordeaux and take the TGV back to Paris. (The reverse direction would work just as well.)

Advance purchase (up to 90 days ahead) tickets in each direction can be as low as 25€.

www.voyages-sncf.com

Look for MorganB%26#39;s excellent step-by-step post on using the SNCF online purchasing system in the France forums if you decide to do this. The system has some quirks you need to know about.

You will save a lot of money if you ask for a diesel car. Diesel is available everywhere.

Many people like www.autoeurope.com for rentals. (I use a local agent but wiuld use AutoEurope otherwise.) Check their prices and so on against whoever else you might use, and then make your deciston.

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The reason I do not use a local car rental is because unless you rent for less than three days they are usually more expensive. They charge an extra fee for the second driver and the insurance does not cover as much as the companies one can rent from in the US.

I am at the edge of the 5 th Er and next to the 13th where Place d%26#39; Italie is.

Each car rentals have different and several pick up locations.

Check out the rental agency%26#39;s pickup locations and compare to your hotel location on a map.

I would much rather drive than bother with the train. It is not that difficult to leave Paris after picking up the car. Just ask for driving directions from car rental.

There is so much to see on the way tp Dordonge. You might want to get a copy of Rough Guide for Dordonge and Lot at your library. It is very complete guide!

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Do what Irishrover suggests about comparing prices. Also be aware that Autoeurope will match any lower prices. Make sure you check the deductible on both a local rental and other US rental companies.

If you have American express for $24.99 you can get an extra car rental insurance (American Express Car Rental Preminum Insurance) for coverage up to 42 days as long as you charge the rental to your American Express card.. It covers many things that are not covered ( ie loss of use etc).

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Thanks.

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I picked up an AutoEurope car from the Port of Orleans area. It worked out well. I rode the Metro to within a block or so of the rental car office and was quickly on my way out of the city on an Autoroute.

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Probably out of habit, and for no other reason whatsoever, I rent from Avis and p/u my car from the Gare St. Lazare. It%26#39;s a pretty quick shot down to the Champs Elysees and out to Defense to get on the Peripherique, and easy to come back in that way as well. The Gare St. Lazare has a pretty large selection, so when you p/u from there, you have more choices. Your options, however, are limitless. In addition to the same big companies in the states like Hertz, Avis, etc., you should compare rates for AutoEurope and Kemwel. You should also explore the option of pre-paying since you are renting from the states, as this is often the cheaper option. I would suggest renting from a location next to the Peripherique, or very near the CE, as this straight shot to the Peripherique is, IMO, the easiest way out of the city.

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RE: my above post...

I paid no attention to the dates, and just realized you were following up when I posted and THEN read your last post. But then, your follow-up was worthy of a bump anyway.

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