A Guide to Renting a Car in Normandy and Brittany, France

👉 Jump to: Best Sites to Search for Rentals | Do you need a car? | Requirements | Cost | Tips | FAQ

Renting a car should be on your to-do list when planning a trip to Normandy or Brittany in the north of France. I’ve done a lot of driving during my 10 years living in France. And if you’re traveling anywhere rural, you’ll need a car in order to explore the top sites and attractions. 

Here’s everything you need to know about car rentals in Normandy and Brittany.

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Best Car Rental Sites in Normandy and Brittany  

Don’t wait for your arrival to book a car in France! You can do it in English on these sites ahead of time. I like them for their variety and clarity. For example, you can search for only automatic transmissions if you want to. 

These car rental sites also let you search for less common issues like different city returns and weekend pick-ups or drop-offs. Take a look!

RentalCars.com is my go-to site for car rentals in Normandy and Brittany. In my experience, they have more options, particularly for complex requests. They clearly show the agency’s rating and car details with every listing. Also, Booking.com runs the site, meaning that you have access to remote support for any issues you encounter. 

Discover Cars is another useful site for Brittany and Normandy car rentals. Some visitors have found that they have fewer options than RentalCars.com for weekend returns or one-way trips. However, they have a wide selection of rental partners. They also display each offer clearly, with agency ratings and car details. 

Kayak is another great go-to for rental cars. They often have different selections than RentalCars.com and Discover Cars, which can be useful for more remote areas. The site shows you comparison rental prices from other sites, ensuring you get the best deal.

Do You Need a Rental Car in Normandy and Brittany?

You need a rental car in Normandy and Brittany if you are visiting rural locations. This includes popular visitor sites like the D-Day beaches and memorials. Public transportation doesn’t always serve these destinations. 

You may not need a rental car if you’re only staying in major cities or towns in the north of France. But be sure to check train and bus connections before you leave. You don’t want to be unpleasantly surprised to find out that your connection takes you all the way to Paris!

If you’re a confident driver and staying in more than one northern destination, a rental car is your best bet. Otherwise, check out other ways of getting around France for more options.

📚 Related Reading: Driving in Paris

Rental Car Requirements for Normandy and Brittany

The local requirements for car rentals in Normandy and Brittany are the same as those for car rentals in France. The basic French driving requirements include an international driver’s license. You can get a notarized translation of your license instead, but it must be within 90 days of your trip. 

Some rental agencies require you to have had a license for a certain length of time, such as a year. Check the fine print carefully on rental offers before booking. 

All rental cars in France come with the legal minimum insurance: third-party liability. In France, cars, rather than drivers, get insurance. However, consider alternative insurance policies like those from VisitorsCoverage.com. These are great for roadside assistance and other add-ons.

How Much Do Rental Cars Cost in Normandy and Brittany?

Rental cars in Normandy and Brittany cost around €80 per day for a mid-sized sedan. A week-long rental averages around €380 as of the time of this writing. Keep in mind that costs vary widely by time of year.

These prices apply to the “shoulder season” in which I’m writing, in September. They’ll vary based on when you visit, costing less in the off-season and more in summer. Other factors that can increase prices are the type of car you choose and any additional insurance coverage you buy. 

Automatic transmissions usually cost more for French car rentals, too. Companies may also offer the option to return the car without a full tank of gas, which can increase prices. 

🚗 Compare rental car prices for your dates by searching these sites: 

• Discover Cars
• Kayak
• RentalCars.com

7 Tips & Things to Know Before Renting in Normandy and Brittany

Don’t Count on Public Transportation

Prioritize renting a car if you’re unsure about using public transportation. Trains from Paris to Normandy and Brittany are regular and fairly reliable. However, workers can and do go on strike often with short notice. Meanwhile, the smaller, regional trains in the north can be distant and slow. 

Bring a Paper Map or Satellite Navigation

My phone connection is intermittent at best when I’m in more rural areas of Normandy and Brittany. It’s great for a tech break–but not when you’re relying on your phone’s GPS! 

Bring a backup for your drive. A paper map is always a good bet. Meanwhile, a navigation system like TomTom relies on satellites, not phone networks, and is pretty reliable. 

Roads Can Be Narrow

Nervous drivers should prepare and even practice driving on narrow roads. I recently faced this challenge when driving in Upper Normandy. Rural parts of Northern France (and even some villages) have small roads. Sometimes, you’ll even find bushes or ditches on the side, making passing difficult. 

Plan Your Gas Stops (and Budget!) in Advance

I’ve said it a few times now, but Northern France is full of large stretches of countryside. Make sure you plan for gas in advance. You won’t always be able to find a station off of a rural highway. You can find gas stations on your route via the Michelin website. 

Don’t forget to budget for gas, as well. It currently costs an average of $7.19 a gallon in France. [Source]

Not All Destinations Are Accessible By Car

A car won’t necessarily take you door-to-door. If you have mobility issues, check with individual destinations to see how much walking you’ll have to do. 

At some destinations, parking is far from the actual site. I’ve found this applies to historic monuments and castles, particularly those with large grounds. 

Plan Your Parking in Advance

Make sure you check out available parking as you plan your drive. I haven’t found this to be an issue at hotels or most restaurants in Normandy and Brittany. However, at more popular sites like the D-Day beaches or the cliffs at Étretat, crowds can make parking tricky. You can get around this by booking a spot in a nearby private lot in advance. 

Plan for Electric Cars Carefully

I love electric and hybrid cars, and I use them every chance I get. However, you may have trouble charging an electric car in Normandy or Brittany. There are an increasing number of charging stations there, but they tend to cluster in larger cities and towns. 

The solution? Take a look at Chargemap to see where electric charging stations are along your route before renting an electric vehicle.  

FAQ

Do I need a rental car for Normandy and Brittany?

You will likely need a rental car for Normandy and Brittany. If you’re only staying in larger cities like Rennes and Dieppe, you may be able to use public transportation. However, cars are key to accessing more rural areas. 

How much per day is a rental car in Normandy and Brittany?

The average rental car price per day in Normandy and Brittany is around €80. This comes from a sample search of rental car prices on Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com. However, exact prices vary based on many factors like time of year, age, and nationality, so search with filters specific to you. 

Can I rely on public transportation in Normandy and Brittany?

There are great trains in Normandy and Brittany. They run to and from Paris, as well as among smaller cities and towns in the region. There are also regional bus services. However, always double-check the status of your public transportation, as delays can occur.

Can I pick up and return cars at different sites in Normandy and Brittany?

You can pick up and return cars at different sites in Normandy and Brittany. This will be easiest if you rent from a big agency like Avis or Hertz. You’ll also have an easier time with a one-way rental when going between larger cities.

Are weekend returns possible in Normandy and Brittany?

Weekend car rental returns are sometimes possible in Normandy and Brittany. Your best bet is to rent cars from big agencies in larger cities. Pay close attention to hours, as even these agencies often close early on weekends. 

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Driving in Normandy and Brittany can be a joy! Just be sure to rent early and make careful plans. Need help packing for France before you go? Read my guide on what to pack for France next. 

🖨️ Get a free, printable version of my France packing list here!