Avis - Renting a car in France

Hello all,

I am a resident of USA (not a citizen) and I will be visiting France for 6 months. I have an Illinois drivers' license for over 2 years now and I have also obtained the International Driving Permit (IDP). I would like to rent a car for 2 days as soon as I land and I plan on paying with a mastercard. Will these documents be enough for the rental? If anyone has had a pertinent experience, please do share.
Thanks a lot.

Far as I know yes. I rented a car a few months ago and they didn't seven speak English (and I speak very little French), but they only required driver license from USA and payment. Idp is only if you get stopped iirc. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Those documents will be sufficient, but if you can't drive a stick remember to specifically reserve an automatic. Bon voyage ^

Automatic will be more expensive and might not be available at small stations.

Hertz in France required the international license last time I rented there, at CDG.

Thank you all for your replies. Seems like I shall be fine then. As far as a manual transmission is concerned, I am from India, and driving a stick through the mountains is absolute fun.

No IDP required when I rented from CDG and the smaller NCE Avis station in June. Used a California license and credit card --- very easy.

I confirm all said above. Pay attention, driving is quite crazy in France (my country of origin) I would avoid driving in Paris at any cost it is a pure nightmare.
Important.
Unless you see a sign ALL traffic coming from your right side have priority and can cut in front of you.
Now there are radars to control the speed limit all over the place you do not get any brake if you go above 1 or 2 km/h you will get flashed and fined.
Gas is always less expensive in gas stations of shopping malls.
Have a good trip.

I rented a car from Toulouse Airport back in August (Avis).

I believe that all I showed was my driving licence; no need for an international driving permit.

I'd reserved a "large" car but all they offered me was a choice between an Opel Meriva and a Peugeot 3008 neither of which I considered large. Took the Peugeot in the end which had the strangest automatic gearbox (at least compared with US cars) - when it was time to change up, the revs would climb dramatically and the new gear would engage with a smooth increase in power just as if driving a manual. I prefer to drive a manual in Europe.

I found that on the motorway, people were driving consistently below the speed limit (although I did go past the aftermath of a 2 car crash) - perhaps the recent increases in the cost of fuel mean that people are driving more slowly to save money?

I'd reserved a "large" car but all they offered me was a choice between an Opel Meriva and a Peugeot 3008 neither of which I considered large.

If it's any guidance, the 3008 counts as a "Large Compact" in the UK fleet list (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/avis/1269829-fleet-list-uk.html), which is think is roughly comparable with that in France, although the Meriva is certainly misplaced in that class :D

Another thing to keep in mind - based on my own experience from renting cars in Europe. When you got your car, make sure that you check your car thoroughly before getting out of the parking lot.

Also you need to make sure that your credit card can cover your CDW excess (because you have 100 EUR excess for CDW).

I rented with Avis at Toulouse Airport and it was a nightmare. The car was full of dents and gas was half full. Then I was charged for gas and after complaning back and forth I got my $ back.

Also at Avis Toulouse Airport they also exercise DCC - and it was unavoidable for us.

One thing to be careful us is that your Mastercard is an actual credit card and not a debit card. You cannot rent here with a debit card. Also, you will pay a hefty surcharge if you are under 25 years old.

Seems like a five day rental from LYS or the Lyon train station (either one way or RT) has a surcharge of 60.31 (separate from the tax, and it's not the underage surcharge).

Any idea of what it is?

Seems like a five day rental from LYS or the Lyon train station (either one way or RT) has a surcharge of 60.31 (separate from the tax, and it's not the underage surcharge).

Any idea of what it is?

All Avis rentals in Europe seem to have huge surcharges these days. It's effectively a price hike. It looks even worse when its a one day rental. Half the cost ends up being surcharges. It's a bit of a scam that rental car companies are exploiting in Europe. The airlines have to advertise the total cost of a flight in all advertisements, but the rental car companies can raise their prices without anyone knowing...until you get to the final booking page.