Hi all. Still planning our 4 week trip to France and would like some advice on where to drop off our rental car in Paris. Last time we were in France, we dropped it off in the city - what a head-ache! I'm thinking one of the airports and then training it in to St.Germain des Pres. What do you think? And which airport would it be easier to do this - CDG or Orly airport? Thanks.

Orly is not only easier for drop offs, but much closer to St. Germain. Another alternative is Montparnasse station. If you come from the south in particular, it is a very easy approach on wide, well marked streets (so long as you have a map) to the station there, and a real easy trip to your hotel or flat in St. Germain.

MiriamDeba,

Your question can be best answered if you tell us from where you will you be arriving - no point in returning at Orly if you are driving in from the north for example.

Hope this helps,
Andre

Thanks, Andre. I didn't think to add that info. We are actually driving to Paris from Bayeux in Normandy via Rouen. Any suggestions?

Why not drop the car off in Rouen or Chartres and take the train in? Or check if your rental agency has an office in Versailles, which would be even closer.

topping

Ira, what do you mean by "topping"?

By adding another post, he "topped" the thread (pushed it to the top of the list on the left)...

i have a questions..a bit off topic...but when you drop off a rental car in a different (far away) place from where you rented it, how do they get the car back to the place of origin? do they just rent it out again from the destination or put it on a truck heading back? just curious

I think they are constantly moving rental cars around, because I know that the lot I rent from in Périgueux can only hold about 8 cars and street parking is at a premium. If a dozen people returned cars there in one day, there would be a problem. And once I had to wait a half-hour or so for a car that was being driven to Périgueux from Limoges.

The logistics must be staggering!

Miriam, We're coming from Normandy to Paris on an upcoming trip and have decided to drop the car off at the Gare du Nord.

Of course, I haven't done this before, so I don't know how difficicult it will be....

When's your trip? Ours is the end of April/beginning of May. I'll be glad to report back on how difficult it is.

Hi Marcy, our trip is in March so hopefully I can get back to you with some helpful information. At this stage, we've decided to leave the car in Versailles and train it in to Paris. This may change if we get any other suggestions/advice. Will let you know in early April when we get home.

We dropped a car at Gare Du Nord in December and what a headache. First you were supposed to somehow know that the car goes to a garage a half block from the station the wrong way down a one way street. Down the the 6th or 7th level below ground. Then find the rental car counter inside the station... it is one floor down from where the trains come in on the left hand side of the station as you come in the front doors. A few signs would have made the whole process a lot easier.

AisleSeat, That does sound like a pain!

What company did you rent from?

The problem cited in returning the car doesn't surprise me a bit. What I suggest to do when returning a car to a train station is to first make sure that the agency has an office in the station. Park the car outside the station [illegally if you have to], then go and deal with the agent, sayingt if neccessary that you have a train to catch.