Originally Posted by
stimpy
Driving in France is very easy and mostly the same as the US. There shouldn't be any domestic drop-off charges (I've never had any with Avis) if you rent in Lyon and drive around the south and visit what interests you. Then take a train to Italy, Switzerland, etc. Play it by ear and keep your options open. You can always get last minute train tickets and car rentals.
Just a word of warning for people that may not have the "gold" affiliations that get you free open jaw drop off in country.
Pickup and dropoff at different locations costs extra.
There is a thread somewhere in this forum that has the link to the site where you can do an international "return" for the hire companies at normal rates so you effectively reposition their cars for them.