Car rental Paris

[Ann]

I don't remember either -- I was thinking double or queen, and TripAdvisor describes it as a double, with a twin for a third person.

 

[Roz]

We were in the Loire Valley 10 years ago in May, staying in Amboise. We loved it then, but I agree that it would probably be very crowded in July. As Ann said, do try to get to the Amboise market -- it is huge. If you are there on the second Saturday of the month, there is also a brocante. In addition to visiting a few chateaux, we also enjoyed trips to Bourges with its magnificent cathedral, Fontevraud Abbey, and the Monmousseau winery. And in Amboise, the Clos-Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last part of his life is fascinating. Here's my trip report, and a photo album.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

Well, after 2 days of researching the Loire Valley, I am exhausted without taking a step, climbing stairs and wandering around chateaus. It might not be the best option for me. I am not ruling it out though.

I've come across: Dijon and Colmar as potential bases.

Anyone spend time in this region?

I see the train goes non stop from Paris to Dijon in less then 2 hours.

So, I could rent a car there to explore the region.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

Well, I just need a base for 4 nights now.
I have decided on this so far:

Paris 3 nights
Dijon 3 nights
____4 nights
Paris 3 nights

I think the train is the way to go.
Car rental after 3 nights in Dijon.

So, I need suggestions for a base for 4 nights. Any ideas? A place where I can return the car and take the train back to Paris would be best.

 

[Pauline]

We spent a week in Burgundy near Beaune. We did a day trip to Dijon and loved the city. You could spend the 4 nights in the wine area. There is an interesting town west of Dijon, near a beautiful Abbey. Let me look it up.

 

[Pauline]

The Cistercian Abbey is http://www.sloweurope.com/daytrip/1706/fontenay-abbey/

The town is Semur en Auxios (I am sure I spelled that wrong). We did not visit but saw it from the road and I have read about it. It looks very interesting. There is also a famous pilgrimage town in that area.

If you are a wine person, the area around Beaune is beautiful and I have never seen so many vineyards.

 

[Roz]

Have you been to Lyon? It's only 2 hours from Dijon and is well worth a visit. But you don't have to stay there for 4 days, and you don't want a car there anyway. If you got a car in Dijon, you could spend a couple of days driving around the wine country of Burgundy as Pauline recommends. Beaune is a wonderful town, and you could stay there as a base for car trips around the area. Or stay in one of the other places Pauline recommends. Then drive down to Lyon, drop the car, and spend a couple of days in Lyon, where you can catch the TGV back to Paris.

Another place I want to visit, but haven't yet, is Annecy. Everyone says it is beautiful. It's about 2.5 hours from Dijon, and 1.5 from Annecy to Lyon.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've spent a few days in Lyon and loved it. The food!

So, this time 1-2 hour drives in the car is my limit. I will look in to train from Beaune to Paris.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

I'm all set. Decided on Beaune for the 4 nights. Thanks

 

[Chris]

Good choice. I really liked Beaune.

 

[jonathan]

Agreed - lovely town. Do make sure you visit the museum of the Hospices de Beaune: gorgeous architecture, furnishings, and a better-than-usual audioguide.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

After pricing out the train: Paris to Dijon/from Beaune to Paris, I am now considering a car rental from Orly airport, which is very reasonable for a week.
How bad is the traffic getting from Orly airport to Dijon and from Beaune to Orly?

 

[chiaro di Luna]

I am ready to book a car for 1 week, Sat.-Sat. after a few days in Paris.
Auto Europe shows Dollar car rental with best price for economy car with one location over by the Arch.
Has anyone done this?
Is there a better location to pick up?
I will be returning the car to the same location and then staying in the Latin Quarter.
Train prices are too high to Dijon and going out to the airports to pick up/drop off are too costly. We are use to driving in traffic.

 

[Roz]

Do you mean you would have to drive around the Etoile when picking up or dropping off your car? Maybe you are braver than I am, but I think that would be a nightmare.

We have twice picked up a car at the Montparnasse train station. We were staying in Montparnasse at the time, but I think it would be reasonably convenient to the Latin Quarter, and it's easy to get to on the Metro.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

I've been in the Etoile area at 8 am on a Sat. morning which is when I would pick it up, and am wondering if someone has done this and can speak from their experience.
I won't be the driver, but that is why I am asking for suggested locations.
Thanks for your reply Roz.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

Well, by changing my dates I was able to get my train fare from Paris to Dijon down to $26 Canadian and $38 for the return, so I purchased it today. So, it's 1 night Paris, 5 nights Dijon, 4 nights Beaune and 3 nights Paris. I can pick up the car at the Dijon train station as I head out to Beaune, then return the car and train back into Paris.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

So here is what I did:
Roissey bus from CDG to hotel in Opera area, Paris. (easy from T2, 11 euro, drp off across from the Opera building)
Taxi to Gare de Lyon-train to Dijon.
Car rental-Hertz across from train station.
Car to Beaune and wineries/ daytrips.
Returned car in Dijon, (upper level of station parking lot, then run key over to car office across the street)
Train to Paris ( had to carry suitcases up to 2nd level where our seats were.)
Taxi to hotel St. Germain, Paris (huge rip off $$$)
Arranged fixed price limo to CDG (less $ then taxi)

This was stress free transportation, as there was a lot of traffic during the week days everywhere, but very little traffic on Sundays and the 3 May holidays.