Hi everyone!

My apologies for the slow reply. We rented a car in paris and returned it in paris. I found it relatively comparable to driving in NYC. Perhaps a little easier than NYC. Although I primarily used the car to drive to the chateau outside of Paris. I really appreciate all your help!
Natalie

We usually pick up a car at the airport since you are most likely to get the vehicle you want there. I time does not allow find large rental office near the peripherique (ring road) that runs around Paris so you can hop on it quickly and avoid city streets.

And yes, we have driven into or out of Paris several times without any problems - but do study the city map so it is clear in your head and have a very good map that indicates one way streets etc. Traffic is nothing like as bad as NYC - but the street configuration is like lower Manhattan - no grid system.

We picked up the car at the train. It was not a very desirable area, but we survived haha. Thank you again for your advice!

I live in a rural part of Washington state and had no problems navigating Paris morning rush-hour traffic in a manual transmission.

We had reserved an automatic transmission with AutoEurope, but they claimed they tried to confirm our reservation the day before and we didn't answer our home phone (because we were already in Paris!!!), so they gave us a stick shift. LOL!

I had to drive because DH doesn't know how to use a manual transmission.

Anyway, you shouldn't have any problems with traffic. Just make sure to CALL your rental agency to confirm your car. #LessonsLearned.