Car rental in Paris

Life in Paris is quite expensive. The same applies to the size of fines:

• Violation of pedestrian rules — €4;
• Changing lane without using indicators — from €35;
• Driving in the emergency lane — from €35;
• Driving through a red traffic light — from €135;
• Driving in the left lane when the right lane is free — from €135.

Within the city the usual speed limit is 50 km/h. Rainy weather deserves special attention. When the roads are wet, it is recommended to reduce your speed. For example, on a bright sunny day, once you reach the suburbs of Paris and are outside any built-up area, you may drive at up to 90 km/h, while in rainy weather you should slow down to 80 km/h on the same road. In foggy conditions you must not exceed 50 km/h, even when you are outside the city, driving on the motorway.

You may leave your car in the same place for up to 24 hours. After this time you must move your car, as longer-term parking is prohibited. It is difficult, if not impossible, to find free parking in the centre of Paris. Therefore, it is better to use pay-and-display machines or underground car parks. The cards needed for payment at parking meters are sold in any tobacco shop. It is also possible to leave your rental car on the street free of charge in the following cases:

• In the absence of special signs, you can park from 7:00 PM to 10:00 AM;
• On public holidays;
• At weekends;

Some places also offer free parking during the last month of summer.

Those who find it hard to refuse a glass of wine or a pint of beer can still drive in the French capital. The permitted level is limited to 0.5‰; anything higher is punished quite severely. For example, you may not only have to pay €4,500, but also lose your driving licence and even go to prison for up to two years. Such measures are applied to those caught driving under the influence of alcohol, with a breathalyser reading of more than 0.8‰. If the level is between 0.5‰ and 0.8‰, the fine will be €135.

Observing the following traffic rules in the French capital will help ensure you keep only pleasant memories of your trip:

• Observing the speed limit within the city is essential — 50 km/h;
• Seat belts must be fastened by all passengers without exception;
• Children under 10 years old and shorter than 135 cm must travel in special child seats or boosters;
• In poor visibility, dipped headlights must be switched on, regardless of the time of day;
• It is prohibited to talk on a mobile phone while driving unless your car is equipped with a hands-free device.

Petrol stations in Paris offer unleaded petrol of both 95 (€1,48) and 98 (€1,53) grades. You can also fill up with diesel (€1,33). Leaded petrol is almost impossible to find. There are also LPG filling stations. If you need to carry a fuel can in the car, this is allowed. Remember that roadside petrol stations charge higher prices than those located near shopping centres.

Toll roads are quite common in France, and in Paris in particular. For example, when driving on the Paris - Lille motorway, be prepared to pay €15,70 for the 221 kilometres you travel on this road. Some tunnels and bridges are also subject to tolls. Payment can be made by almost any method, depending on the vehicle category. If it is more convenient for you to use a credit card, it will be accepted just as readily as cash. Remote payment methods are also perfectly suitable.