Driving in France: Should You Rent a Car?

One of the most common questions when planning a trip to the French Riviera is whether or not to rent a car.

The answer is: it depends on the kind of trip you want to have.

If you plan to stay primarily along the coast—visiting places like Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Monaco, Menton, Antibes, or Cannes—you may not need a car at all. These destinations are generally well connected by train, and driving can sometimes be more stressful than helpful, especially during the busy summer months.

However, if you're hoping to explore beyond the coastline, renting a car can make a world of difference. Having your own vehicle also gives you the freedom to stop in charming villages, discover scenic viewpoints, and explore at your own pace rather than relying on train or bus schedules.

🚗 When Is a Car Worth Renting?

A rental car is highly recommended if you plan to explore:

• Hilltop villages such as Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Gourdon

• The vineyards of Provence and the Bellet wine region

• Gorges du Verdon

• Mercantour National Park

• Smaller Provençal villages

• Scenic inland drives and countryside roads

  
  

If your itinerary is mostly coastal, you can comfortably rely on trains, walking, and the occasional taxi or Uber. If you're planning to venture inland, renting a car—even for just one or two days—will give you much greater flexibility.

🛡️ Car Insurance

Before renting a car in France, take a few minutes to understand exactly what insurance coverage you have.

Your personal U.S. auto insurance policy may not cover rental vehicles outside the United States, Canada, or Mexico. Likewise, many credit cards offer rental car benefits abroad, but these often apply only to Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage and typically do not include liability insurance or every type of damage.

Before your trip, we recommend checking with:

• Your auto insurance provider

• Your credit card company

• The rental car company

  
  

Ask what is covered, what isn't, and whether you should purchase additional coverage when picking up your vehicle. Understanding your coverage ahead of time can save both money and stress.

If you're planning to drive into neighboring countries—such as Italy—confirm with your rental company that cross-border travel is permitted under your rental agreement. Most major rental companies allow travel within much of Western Europe, but restrictions can vary depending on the company or vehicle.

📷 Speed Limits, Speed Cameras & Red-Light Cameras

Speed limits are taken very seriously in France, and enforcement is largely automated.

You'll encounter speed cameras on highways, secondary roads, tunnels, and even when entering towns and villages. Red-light cameras are also common in many cities.

If you're driving a rental car and receive a traffic violation, the rental company will typically identify you as the driver, charge an administrative processing fee to your credit card, and forward the fine to the mailing address associated with your rental agreement.

Because enforcement is automated and consistent, it's best to assume that any violation will eventually reach you.

Pay close attention to posted speed limits, especially when entering villages, construction zones, or mountain roads, where limits can change quickly.

🚦 No Right Turn on Red

Unlike in many parts of the United States, turning right on a red light is generally not permitted in France.

Unless a specific sign or signal indicates otherwise, you must wait for the traffic light to turn green before turning.

🔄 Roundabouts

Roundabouts are everywhere in France.

If you're not used to them, don't worry—they're quite easy once you've driven through a few.

In most cases:

• Vehicles already inside the roundabout have priority.

• Signal before exiting.

• If you miss your exit, simply continue around again.

  
  

They're designed to keep traffic flowing smoothly and quickly become second nature.

↪️ Priority to the Right

France still uses a rule known as priorité à droite ("priority to the right").

Although it's much less common than it once was, you may still encounter it on smaller roads, residential streets, and in certain villages.

Unless signs indicate otherwise, a vehicle approaching from the right may have priority—even if you're on what appears to be the main road.

Simply pay attention to road signs and intersections, particularly when driving through smaller towns.

🚙 Manual vs. Automatic Cars

One of the biggest surprises for many American visitors is that manual transmission cars are still very common in Europe.

If you only drive an automatic, be sure to reserve one well in advance. Automatic vehicles are generally more limited and often cost more than manual cars.

Don't assume your rental car will be automatic unless your reservation specifically says so.

⛽ Fuel & Electric Vehicles

Before refueling, always check what type of vehicle you've rented.

In France, you'll commonly see:

• Essence – gasoline

• Gazole – diesel

  
  

Putting the wrong fuel in a vehicle can result in expensive damage, so it's always worth double-checking before filling up.

Electric vehicles are also becoming increasingly common in rental fleets. If you choose an electric car, keep an eye on your battery level—especially if you're planning to explore more remote areas such as Provence, the Gorges du Verdon, or Mercantour National Park.

Charging infrastructure has improved significantly throughout France, but charging stations can still be farther apart in rural areas, and many rental vehicles are fully electric rather than hybrid.

🛣️ Toll Roads

Many French highways, known as autoroutes, are toll roads. They're generally in excellent condition and often save considerable travel time.

Most toll booths accept:

• Credit cards

• Contactless payment

• Cash

  
  

Our Recommendation

If your plans focus primarily on the French Riviera's coastal towns, you probably won't need a rental car for your entire stay.

However, if you'd like to discover the region's hilltop villages, vineyards, national parks, or iconic day trips such as the Gorges du Verdon, renting a car for a day or two is well worth it.

Our favorite approach is to enjoy the convenience of trains while exploring the coast, then rent a car only for the days you want to venture farther afield. It offers the best of both worlds—and lets you experience some of the South of France's most spectacular scenery.