I am hoping to pick up a rental car in Chartres and drop it off in Bayeux, if possible. I would appreciate a recommendation on which car company to rent from and any other tips. Traveling in September. Thank you.
Posted by
Washington DC
27215 posts
I suspect there's only one rental office in Bayeux, but i don't know who it is (and I could be wrong). With luck the same company/companies will have a presence in Chartres.
A lot of folks use AutoEurope, a consolidator based in the US that often beats the rates you get by going directly to the car-rental company. Other similar options are Kemwel and Gemut. AutoEurope might be an easy way to see whether there's a company that will work for you. If you draw a blank with AutoEurope, don't give up; they probably don't work with every single auto-rental provider in France.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
5700 posts
I use AutoEurope and have been quite happy with it. Generally we end up with Europcar and have been happy with them as well. If anything, it'd be a fast way to figure out what rental companies are available in Bayeux. If the rates are high, you could tinker with your return location. Perhaps, Caen? I also rented once from Chartres and we ended up with Avis. My recollection is that it took some tinkering to find a company located in Chartres and in our return city which was Vernon.
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1148 posts
There are several rental car companies in Caen, which is a short train ride from Bayeux, and most are right near the train station. I have picked up and dropped off Hertz rental cars in Bayeux and Caen numerous times. Google Maps shows Hertz, Enterprise and others in and around Bayeux. The Bayeux Hertz office is in a gas station on the periphery road. It is a short taxi ride from the train, but I have had them pick me up and/or drop me off in the past. I don't know if they still do that.
Posted by
Paris
6920 posts
Hertz is apparently the only company with locations both in Chartres and Bayeux, but if prices are OK they are typically a good choice in France. Avis is an alternative if you are happy to drop off in Caen rather than Bayeux (no big deal, you can take the train in Caen to your next stop). Car rental companies in Chartres other than Hertz and Avis are inconveniently located.
Oh, and all car rental offices will be closed on Sundays in Chartres, so plan accordingly.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
5700 posts
The Avis in Chartres was fairly well located. It was about a mile from our hotel. It was a pleasant walk along the river below the cathedral to the Avis office