Paris doesn't need a car to be explored — its metro is one of the world's best — but it's an exceptional base for road trips into the surrounding Île-de-France and beyond. The châteaux of the Loire Valley, the landing beaches of Normandy, the champagne houses of Reims, the medieval town of Provins and the manicured forests of Fontainebleau are all within two hours. Pick up your car at the airport and head straight into the countryside.

Picking up your hire car in Paris

  • Paris CDG (Charles de Gaulle) — the largest hub. Car hire desks are in Terminal 2, Hall B. Most major suppliers also operate off-airport facilities connected by shuttle. Booking in advance is essential — CDG is one of the world's busiest car hire locations.
  • Paris Orly (ORY) — southern Paris airport, closer to the A10 motorway for Loire Valley trips. Car hire centre in ORY 4.
  • Pro tip: Avoid picking up a car from central Paris — the Périphérique ring road is notoriously congested and parking within the city is extremely expensive. Pick up at the airport and head straight out.

Driving in and around Paris

  • The Périphérique ring road circles Paris — use it to access the major autoroutes (A1 north, A4 east, A6 south, A10 southwest, A13 west to Normandy).
  • Crit'Air vignette required for Paris city driving. Most hire cars comply with current standards — confirm with your supplier.
  • Paris motorway tolls on outbound routes are significant; budget €20–€50 for a day trip.
  • Versailles, Fontainebleau and Chantilly are 45–60 minutes from CDG without motorway tolls using the N-roads.
  • French autoroutes have excellent service stations (aires) with proper food — far better than UK motorway services.

Where to go — best drives from Paris

Versailles & the Île-de-France (45 mins) — the Palace gardens, but also the forests and lesser-known châteaux of Rambouillet and Vaux-le-Vicomte. Normandy D-Day Beaches (2.5 hrs west) — the memorial route from Caen to Cherbourg passes all the major landing beaches, cemeteries and museums. A deeply moving and important two-day road trip. Loire Valley (1.5–2 hrs south) — UNESCO-listed châteaux country: Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise. The small roads along the Loire riverbank are more scenic than the main D952. Champagne Route (1.5 hrs northeast) — from Reims south through Épernay, the Route Touristique du Champagne passes house after house offering cellar tours and tastings.

Insider route: The Route des Crêtes (D913) through the Vosges mountains is just 3.5 hours from Paris and one of France's most scenic drives — ridge-top road with views across both Alsace and Lorraine.
Price tip: Paris is one of the world's most competitive car hire markets — always compare at least 4–5 suppliers before booking. Local and regional companies often undercut the big brands significantly.
Book for Paris now: Compare live prices from 900+ suppliers at Paris car hire. Prices from $28/day. No booking fees.