I want to rent an economy-class car in France for 12 days. I checked prices on several sites mentioned in this forum, and they’re pretty comparable—around 350 € or $470 CAD.
Strangely, Auto Europe is showing prices between $300 and $330 CAD for an economy-class vehicle. That seems too good to be true. What do you think?
Auto Europe is one of many brokers in the car rental market. They rent large quantities of cars and then "sublet" them to private individuals. They don’t rent directly themselves.
I’ve never used them since I have my habits with "cardelmar," which also offers great rates. I think they’ve just been acquired (by Auto Europe?).
The rates there are very competitive, and I’ve never had any issues in Australia, the USA, or elsewhere. These brokers send you to Alamo, Europcar, or other major companies, including Thrifty.
I’ve used autoeurope.fr (or .com), autoescape.com, and holidayautos.fr several times, always picking the best rate. I’ve never had any issues. You actually get an exchange voucher by email that redirects you to a major rental brand (Avis, Hertz, etc.), where you’re treated like a direct customer!
We’ve rented through Auto Europe multiple times across various European countries (France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Croatia).
They often have the best prices. This year, we booked with them again for our upcoming trip to Corsica in June. They’re what we call a "consolidator"—meaning they work with different car rental companies like Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, etc.
Just make sure to double-check the rental terms, what’s included, and what’s not. For example, picking up or dropping off the car at the airport isn’t included, nor is the so-called "road fee." These amounts have to be paid locally to the rental company.
Also, if you opt for the basic plan without insurance (if you’re covered by your Visa or Mastercard), when you pick up the car from the rental company, make sure it’s noted on the contract that you’re declining the additional insurance.
We rented a car in Ajaccio with Auto Europe. Actually, we booked on the Auto Europe website, and then picked up the car at Europcar.
Unbeatable prices!!
We’d chosen the smallest model and got a 207 SW!!!
I've used autoeurope.fr (or .com), autoescape.com, and holidayautos.fr several times, always choosing the best rate. I've never had any issues. You actually receive an exchange voucher by email that redirects you to a major rental brand (Avis, Hertz, etc.), where you're treated like a direct customer!
Have a great trip!
hi, thanks for your feedback,
regarding distances, here’s my plan: I’m counting on doing a little road trip in the Balkans starting from Italy. What would you recommend in terms of rental companies and insurance/options?
Please ;-)
thanks!
PS: Is it risky to road trip in the Balkans by car?
Hi there,
I’d recommend renting your vehicle through the OOLOC website since they have cheaper rates. You can take advantage of lots of promotional offers for car rentals—like waived drop-off fees or 7 days for the price of 5. Check out their current car rental deals online right away.
Actually, we’ve never rented a car with a border crossing. You might want to check with AUtoescape, for example—I think they offer tailored insurance options.
I haven’t driven in the Balkans by car, so I don’t know if it’s dangerous. I guess, like anywhere else, if you’re unsure, don’t leave anything visible.
To check the safety level, take a look at the guides for the countries you’ll be passing through.
I don’t recommend AUTO EUROPE—they act as a broker and endorse the abusive charges from their partner DOLLAR...
I rented a vehicle in the USA through AUTO EUROPE. We handed over the voucher to pick up our car, and the agent at the counter charged $561 to our card, telling us it was the deposit that would be refunded. In the end, it was for insurance we didn’t need—since we paid with a Gold card and had already taken out insurance with AUTO EUROPE from the start...
We pointed this out to AUTO EUROPE, and they told us we’d signed the agreement, so we were in the wrong. They’re backing this kind of scam... steer clear.
I don’t recommend AUTO EUROPE as a broker—they endorse abusive charges from their partners...
We’d taken out insurance with them before departure, and their partner DOLLAR billed us an extra $561 for fees and insurance we didn’t need... and AUTO EUROPE backs them up. Watch out for this broker....
We haven’t had that kind of issue. Actually, we never take out any insurance beforehand—that must be why. Generally, Auto Europe indicates that the price is excluding the mandatory billing from their partner. When you see that, it’s best to call them first.
It’d be interesting to know what other rental companies do (if they include it upfront).
In the US, we rented directly because we thought the prices with insurance included were expensive from France—but in the end, it was the same when renting there since they actually added the high insurance fees. There are two insurances: one for the car and one for people you might injure.
This August 2013: Absolutely avoid Auto Europe! Vehicle downsizing! There were five of us with luggage, I booked a compact Chevrolet Aveo 4-door with a 500 L trunk: at the airport, the subcontractor, rude, impolite, and discourteous, forced a Polo on me for the same price!
Besides, the comparisons they offer are useless: only Auto Europe’s partners are listed.
Prices, models, and categories fluctuate wildly from one page to another, and no price stays consistent.
I didn’t have any issues with AutoEurope; you know upfront that the model might be different. I have no personal stake in this. I’ve also heard good things about AutoEscape—I’d even put them at the top. With AutoEurope, we once had to be driven less than a kilometer, but it didn’t bother us at all.
Hi there,
AutoEurope offers car rentals with what seems like a rock-solid ironclad insurance at very attractive prices (14 days in Malaga Airport, Ford Fiesta for 65.93 €). The voucher vaguely mentions that “certain damages (?)… are not covered”—which ones? A mystery. But with the ironclad insurance (zero excess) included, you’d think you’re all set. When you arrive, the rental company is waiting: an extra 76.98 € for mandatory insurance, or you take the risk that even the tiniest scratch will leave you with a bill (and you can imagine the financial hit with a 500 € excess). So, you end up paying for the insurance to avoid turning your trip into a financial disaster. On top of that, this rental company (Record Go—avoid at all costs) forces you to prepay for a full tank (return the car empty) for 85.03 €. The tank holds 40L—I’ll let you do the math (personally, I only spent the equivalent of 38 € on gas). When I contacted AutoEurope, they hid behind their fine print: basically, you should’ve read the terms (which are completely vague), not signed the reservation, or the contract! Sure, and what do you do when you’re already there facing these *faits accomplis* that feel like forced selling? Objectively, AutoEurope is complicit in these practices. If you like (bad) surprises, go with AutoEurope—otherwise…
Best regards,
I’m actually backtracking on what I said before, and I want to thank you for bringing this issue up again.
Until February, I hadn’t had any bad surprises with several rentals, and they told me that while tires and windshields weren’t covered, everything else was fine. Same with the other companies I tried.
So we didn’t take the extra insurance.
But in February, in Alicante, they told us we weren’t covered except for third-party liability, and that wasn’t what was in the contract with the rental company Goldcar.
I called Auto Europe Spain to complain. They said either we pay or they’d hold 800 € on the card.
So we paid 60 € for 10 days.
Back in France, I called Auto Europe, and they told me I didn’t have to sign and that I should’ve called them!!!!! in France, even though the toll-free number is in Spain.
After my complaints, they said they’d give me an extra discount, which is obviously a joke—especially if I gain 20 € only to lose 60 €.
Disastrous experience with Auto Europe. Beware of this unreliable car rental company. We went to Majorca in October 2014 (booking made online from France), and upon arrival at midnight at Palma Airport, there was no car.
We were forced to find another agency, which was much more expensive. Since then, the negotiations have been going strong (multiple emails with unreasonable requests), and finally, three months later, customer service claims it's my fault, that I got the date wrong. BEWARE SCAMMERS
Expérience SCANDALEUSE. J’ai été manipulée et trompée par l’agent Europcar.
J’ai clairement indiqué que je ne comprenais pas la langue du contrat. Malgré cela, il m’a fait signer en m’affirmant que la somme demandée était un DÉPÔT / une CAUTION.
Résultat : près de 650 € débités.
Je n’aurais JAMAIS signé si l’on m’avait dit la vérité.
Aujourd’hui, ils tentent de faire passer cela pour une simple question de facturation. NON. Le problème est qu’on m’a fait signer sur la base d’une information fausse.
Je considère cette pratique comme profondément malhonnête et je déconseille fortement Europcar.
Expérience SCANDALEUSE. J’ai été manipulée et trompée par l’agent Europcar.
J’ai clairement indiqué que je ne comprenais pas la langue du contrat. Malgré cela, il m’a fait signer en m’affirmant que la somme demandée était un DÉPÔT / une CAUTION.
Résultat : près de 650 € débités.
Je n’aurais JAMAIS signé si l’on m’avait dit la vérité.
Aujourd’hui, ils tentent de faire passer cela pour une simple question de facturation. NON. Le problème est qu’on m’a fait signer sur la base d’une information fausse.
Je considère cette pratique comme profondément malhonnête et je déconseille fortement Europcar.
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Bonjour
Je dois organiser un voyage en métropole pour la première fois en famille ( mon conjoint et mes 2 enfants 16 ans et 5 ans). Nous arrivons a Paris Orly le 12 JANVIER au soir et repars le 30 Janvier.
Avez vous des idées de ville a visiter pendant cette période, des hôtels a nous conseiller ?
Nous allons nous déplacer en train et aimerais faire au moins 4 nuits par ville.
Je vous remercie d'avance pour vos suggestions.
Delphine
Hi everyone,
I’m heading to Corsica for 12 days:
- One week in Ajaccio
- One week in Porto-Vecchio
I’m renting a car at Ajaccio airport.
Any special visit ideas?
Thanks
Hello,
I’ve visited Corsica several times with our kids, and we loved the warm welcome and friendliness of the locals as we explored many villages. We’re originally from the JURA region.
Now that we’re retired, we’d like to live somewhere between Bastia and Porto-Vecchio.
Which village or town would you recommend for a peaceful and welcoming lifestyle?
We’ll be back from a river cruise with a stop in Strasbourg for just the afternoon and evening. We’d like to spend the afternoon in either Colmar or Kaysersberg and then return to Strasbourg for dinner and a stroll afterward. I’d love your advice on which spot—Colmar or Kaysersberg—you’d recommend. I’ve noticed there’s a bus line 145 that runs from Colmar to Kaysersberg, taking about 40 minutes and costing around 5 €.
Is there a train or another way to get directly from Strasbourg that’s quick and affordable? I think a taxi would be pretty expensive. The issue is we don’t have much time—our flight is the next morning. We’ve already visited Strasbourg, Colmar, Eguisheim, Ribeauvillé, and Riquewihr about 10 years ago and loved them all. Our river cruise covers the Main, Rhine, and Danube.
We’re really looking forward to seeing places in Germany, like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, among others.
Hello,
We’re planning to spend a week in Cap Corse in early September, and I’d love some advice on renting a car (for 4 adults), hotels, and the must-see spots. Thanks for your tips!
Hi there,
This question is for a friend who lives in Munich and needs to come to Paris in May 2027.
Could you share any tips on the easiest way to get to Paris (flight or train) and then to La Défense Arena?
I don’t know anything about it, and my friend is just as lost when it comes to planning her trip.
Thanks in advance if you have any advice! :-)
We’re planning to spend a few days in Valencia and the surrounding area. Can you recommend the must-see sights?
PS: If you know any great restaurants, we’re all ears!
It’s official: our Lyon weekend is confirmed from June 12th to 14th (girls only, no kids!). Do you have any must-see spots to recommend? Are there any exhibitions happening around that time?
Which places do you suggest for going out and having a good time?
Hi,
Our son, currently in Central America, will board a sailboat on 04/16 to cross the Atlantic. He’s expected to arrive around 05/31 in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, and we’d like to welcome him on the day he arrives.
I’m looking for accommodation in the area for a few days around that date, from which we can explore the Camargue. We’ll be bringing our e-bikes.
Could you tell me which towns to look in and which areas to avoid, please? I think Port-Saint-Louis isn’t a great option if we want to avoid the toll for the ferry every time we leave by car.
Thanks for your tips.
Claire
PS: Are there a lot of mosquitoes in late May/early June?
Hi everyone! I’m Loubna, I’m Algerian. My friends and I are planning a trip to France, but we don’t know this region at all. Could you help us out? Thanks in advance!
Hi there, I’m facing a pretty big and important dilemma—I moved to Argentina (Buenos Aires) when I was 20, and now, at 30, I’m coming back to France.
I’m looking for a city to live in and build a life for the next several years. I’m a single guy, so that’s the context.
The thing is, I have quite a few strict criteria...
First and foremost, I *need* a city that’s bustling with people everywhere—I really don’t like quiet, small countryside towns.
Nightlife is super important to me, especially on weekends. It’s crucial that there’s a wide range of options for going out in the evening (mostly bars—I’m not really into nightclubs, but I’d like to be one day if possible).
The social aspect is the *most* important thing (honestly, the *only* thing that matters to me). I don’t care at all about living conditions, safety, cleanliness, or whether things work smoothly.
But I *do* need a place where people are generally "chill"—not cold, rigid, or overly professional, with social norms that don’t make my head spin. I know I’ll never find the same Latin vibe here in France, haha, but I’m trying to survive anyway.
In France, I’ve always lived in Essonne (91), around Bures-sur-Yvette / Les Ulis / Gif / Orsay, etc. I *hate* it—way too quiet, empty streets, and zero activities that suit me. There’s not a single proper bar in any of the surrounding towns, just PMU tobacco shops, and nightlife is nonexistent.
I went to Hossegor once with friends—great vibe, nightlife, bars, beach, etc. But I’m guessing it’s *super* expensive to buy a place there, close to the action (and I’m not even sure if it’s a nice place to live overall).
When I came back to France, I spent 3 months in Paris because I thought it would obviously be the closest to what I was looking for. I still have horrible memories of it—it haunted me so much that I had to escape the capital in a hurry... And I was (I think?) in one of the best neighborhoods for my tastes: Belleville.
So here I am, going in circles because I don’t know enough about French cities. All my friends love quiet, small provincial towns or even living alone in the mountains.
A couple told me about Montreuil, but they were there a long time ago, so I don’t know what it’s like now. They said there was activity, that the city was pretty big, and that there was a good nightlife scene (bars, nightclubs, all kinds of outings), plus the metro (which would make it easy to get to Paris or for people to come to Montreuil from Paris).
So, for now, Montreuil is my only option, but I’m scared and would love other opinions (on Montreuil and other possibilities).
Sorry for the novel, but this is *really* important to me—my future depends on it, in a way ^^'
Thanks so much for reading and for any help you can give!
Hello,
At the beginning of June, we’ll be spending a few days in Sardinia. We’ve decided to return via a detour through Corsica and want to make the crossing from Santa Teresa di Gallura to Bonifacio (2 people and 1 car). There are currently two companies, Moby Lines and Ichnusa Lines, that operate this route. Unfortunately, we don’t know either of them at all. The prices and crossing times are pretty much the same, and we’d like to choose the most reliable one (punctuality/risk of cancellation for a booked crossing) and, if possible, the more comfortable of the two. Could you share your thoughts on either company to help us decide? Thanks in advance for your replies.
Have a great day.
I’m thinking about planning several short trips in France outside peak tourist seasons, especially in spring and autumn.
The idea would be to prioritize:
- fewer crowds at tourist sites
- more affordable accommodation prices
- a more local atmosphere
However, I also have some concerns about:
- attractions or restaurants sometimes being closed
- more unpredictable weather depending on the region
- less frequent transportation in certain areas
For those of you who’ve traveled in France off-season before, what do you think were the main pros and cons?
Are there any regions or specific times that are particularly worth prioritizing?
I’m looking for a ski resort in the Massif Central for a family trip—two adults and three kids (ages 4, 5, and 6)—for a week between late February and early March.
The main goal is to introduce my kids to skiing, so I’m looking for a resort that’s really "family-friendly." But honestly, almost every resort (Super-Besse, Mont-Dore, Lioran, etc.) claims to be family-friendly, so I’m not sure which one to choose. Plus, it’s not always easy to check the location of accommodations on booking sites.
For what I have in mind, we don’t need 30 km of slopes. What would be ideal, though, is a resort that’s mostly pedestrian-friendly, with lodging within a reasonable distance from the base of the slopes and a ski school available.
I’ve read some things here about places like "Chalmazel-Jeansagnière," but the thread is a bit old.
Hi,
We’re heading to Corsica at the end of July, and after a 4-night stay in Zonza, I’d like to head toward Cargèse or Porto to visit the Calanques de Piana. What’s the actual travel time? Maps says 2h40/3h, but I’m wondering if that’s really accurate.
How long does it take to get back to Ajaccio Airport afterward?
Thanks!
I’m planning a trip to Normandy and, after reading quite a few posts here, I still have some questions about the most logical order to avoid spending too much time on the road.
The idea is to have a fairly smooth itinerary, taking the time to enjoy the places, over about ten days (possibly a little more), combining the coast and the inland areas.
I’m particularly wondering about:
– The best starting point (starting with Mont-Saint-Michel or saving it for the end)
– The balance between the coastline and more inland areas
– The areas where it’s really worth slowing down the pace
If any of you have done a route that felt particularly coherent, your feedback would really help me fine-tune the planning.
Hi,
I saw that the first tram from Pont du Garigliano leaves at 5:15 AM, and by taking the RER B at Cité Universitaire afterward, I’d arrive at Roissy at 6:30 AM—2 hours before my international flight.
Is this doable, or not? If anyone’s done this before, I’d love to hear about it.
Thanks
Hi there,
We’re about to finalize a booking for late July near the Pink Granite Coast. We’re wondering about the traffic jams that could make our trip miserable, given how famous the place is—we’re excited to see it too. Could it get pretty bad?
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
In June 2020, my wife and I will be visiting Brittany and Normandy. We’d especially love to explore villages that aren’t part of the usual tourist routes. We enjoy traveling off the beaten path.
We’re reaching out to you all to share which villages we should check out in these two regions.
Thanks.
Here’s the account of the start of our 5/7-day trip in Normandy (then off to the neighbors in... Brittany):
Day 01 from Valenciennes to Mont Saint-Michel: Sunday, September 6, 2020.
After a detour through the south of Lille (picking up our son), we head southwest around 10:00 AM, taking the highways via Amiens, the Pont de Normandie, and Avranches to arrive at "the Mount" around 4:00 PM after 515 km.
Parking P3 (14.20 € for 24 hours) for residents and hotels, located 50 meters from the start of the free round-trip shuttle included in the parking price (not too many tourists at this "late" Sunday hour), and we arrive at the hotel around 4:30 PM.
Triple room with a view of the bay at Hôtel Du Guesclin for 1 night.
From 5:15 PM to 6:30 PM, we tackle the complete tour of the ramparts counterclockwise from the Porte de l’Avancée, via the Tour du Nord (near the abbey entrance), passing in front of the abbey to reach the Tour Gabriel, and back to the start: stunning, not crowded, great weather, and amazing views.
Dinner in the beautiful panoramic restaurant of the hotel, with a bay view at a "window" table (such a nice touch!).
Of course, the day isn’t over, and we can then wander through a deserted main street and its unique atmosphere (photos below labeled "night" even though it’s only 9:15/9:30 PM). What a privilege!
Day 02 from Mont Saint-Michel to Saint-Cast: Monday, September 7, 2020.
After a memorable sunrise over the bay and a sit-down breakfast, we climb the steps to the Abbey for our online-reserved time slot (9:30 AM, 11 € per person).
The "masked group" is quite large, though within normal limits, and the one-way Covid-marked route (with a small brochure) prevents crowds. No need to rush, and 1 hour 15 minutes later, we’re done. Sure, it doesn’t have the charm of a guided tour, but we’re not complaining about being there!
We pick up our bags at the hotel, take the shuttle back, grab the car at Parking P3, and head "south" to Dol-de-Bretagne, 26 km/25 minutes away.
Around noon, the small town is very quiet, and parking in front of the Saint-Samson Cathedral** is free. Across the street, the tourist office is generous with info and gives us a great walking map/circuit: Cathedral, a stroll near the ramparts, the historic center** with its typical shopping streets and half-timbered houses, all covered at a leisurely pace in 45 minutes. Then a picnic on-site.
It’s another 50 km/50 minutes to Saint-Cast-le-Guildo and the Armor Conseil agency for the apartment keys (Résidence du Casino, 72 m², 5th floor, 2 bedrooms, beach 20 meters away, insane morning and evening views, bed linen rental at Ohier 50 meters away, Carrefour City supermarket, and a bakery 200 meters away, plus a town center that hasn’t changed much in 25/30 years. Really, really nice.
After settling in, a short walk is a must up to the heights of the Isle neighborhood behind the seaside residence... memories. Strangely, the well-known Crêperie Bretan’Or seems to be closed, as does the venerable Hôtel du Centre et des Plages (formerly "des Voyageurs")??
And for this reunion evening with the resort, a great crêpe/galette dinner at La Régal’ette, just 100 meters away.
Day’s total: 12 km of walking for sightseeing.
I’m traveling alone from my remote Pyrenees home to Roissy Airport, arriving at Austerlitz Station. I’m a bit nervous about getting to the airport—could you suggest a route?
While you’re at it, maybe you could recommend a budget hotel near the airport?
I’m looking into a trip to Paris around mid-February. I’d love to know more about the temperature (weather) in Paris, museum access (closures or anything else), how easy it is to get around on foot (slippery due to ice?), public transport, etc.
Also, are there any events or activities I absolutely shouldn’t miss? I could adjust my dates based on what you know.
On another note, I’d love to catch a hockey game. Are there any around Paris? I’m happy to watch a few games no matter the level 🏒🥅
FYI, I’m not afraid of the cold since I’m from Quebec 😁😆😆🧑🌾
This summer, we’re planning a family trip to Corsica.
We’ve chosen Sari Solenzara because we want to combine: sea, mountain hikes, natural pools, canyoning, and peace and quiet. Does this choice seem like a good one to you?
Second question: which airport should we prioritize to have the easiest roads to access?
Hi everyone,
We’ve wanted to visit Alsace for a long time to see the famous and well-known "Christmas markets."
Apart from the one in Strasbourg, could you give us some tips on other markets (Sélestat, Colmar, Mulhouse)?
Also, any recommendations for hotels, restaurants, or things to see, etc.?
I know my question is a bit "basic," but we really need some expert advice.
Thanks in advance to all.
I’m planning to spend three days in the Annecy region. What would you recommend visiting? Just so you know, I love nature and enjoy walking, but I prefer hikes that aren’t longer than two hours.
My husband, our 1-year-old son, and I have decided to head to southern France in mid-September.
We don’t know the region at all—it’ll be our first time.
We only have 9 days, and we’re really torn between Provence for its gorgeous villages, its "slow" vibe, Provençal markets, flavors, and colors, and the famous French Riviera for its beaches, ports, and because it’s intrigued us for so long.
I found a beautiful place to stay in a *mas*, but it’s not in the region at all (it’s in the Gard).
My husband found a place he really likes in Saint-Aygulf, but before booking, I’m hesitating and wanted to get some advice.
Obviously, with only 9 days, we clearly have to choose. I thought about splitting the trip in two, but that seems like a bad idea for two reasons: first, we’re traveling with a little one, and second, if we spread ourselves too thin, we risk not seeing anything properly.
Since we don’t know the area at all, I’m worried the coastline might be too built-up with big buildings, etc., like Lloret de Mar (no offense to anyone who loves it—it’s just not what we’re looking for).
Anyway… what would you recommend for a first 9-day trip to the south?
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