My wife and I are traveling in France next month, goin to spend a week in Burgundy. I know the local train in the valley is great, but we want a little more mobility and flexibility, so we're renting a car. Our thinking is that we arrive in Dijon by TGV from Paris, get a rental car at the train station, and then drive south to our hotel. Does that makes sense, and does anyone have any recommendations on car rental companies to use, or any other tips about the process? Also, I've been told that you save money by making the rental reservation before you leave, from the U.S. (where we live). Is this true? Thanks for any help!

Traveling to a small town like Dijon without a reservation in advance could mean, many times during the year, that you will not find a rental car.

Contact Autoeurope about rental car options and pricing.

www.autoeurope.com

One should always arrange a rental car in advance in Europe. I agree, call AutoEurope (and yes, CALL them, don't just make a reservation online - you'll have questions they'll need to answer). 1-800-555-2323.

We have used AutoEurope for years with no problems--another recommendation for them.

Agree all around:

Reserve your car in advance from the US.
It's not only much cheaper but that you're sure to get a car you want (and a car AT ALL).
AutoEurope is a great company - we've used them many times.
Yes, telephone them to get all your questions answered.

Also, if you want a GPS, reserve that when you reserve the car. If you wait until you pick up the car to ask for a GPS, it's likely they won't have one.

If you can't drive a stick, mention that when reserving too.

We have also used AutoEurope as well as their owner or affiliate (?) Kemwell.

However - We found that renting the car in Paris was cheaper than picking up at the train station last time.

This is completely opposite what we expected and know to be true from MANY other trips.

Just check both. You may find it's cheaper in Paris and not pay for the train round trip.

We did exactly what you are doing in Dijon on our last trip to France. Echo all the advice to reserve with AutoEurope well in advance and make sure you reserve and automatic if that is what you need. I think it makes sense to save the car rental for Dijon and take the TGV, which is quite comfortable and speedy.

We rented from kemwel on boulevard Vincent Auriol in the 13th, very close to route A6 and had a pleasant drive stopping at beautiful Le Relais Fleuri in avallon for a spectacular lunch - charollais beef with mushroom confiture, escargot, and trout en crote.

We have also had good experiences with AutoEurope. A word of caution to stay away from Europcar at all costs. We had a terrible experience with them last year and as I was researching a way to contact them after the problem occurred (they did not respond to the email address that was provided to me) I discovered I was not their only unhappy customer.

Thank you so much to all of you for your wonderful and helpful suggestions - AutoEurope, here we come!