We will be arriving from London to Gare du Nord on the Eurostar and heading directly to Bayeux. The train is still an option, but we like the freedom of having our own wheels. However, we do not like the idea of driving in Paris. Where would you suggest we pick up a rental car for a relatively painless escape from the city? We will be returning to Paris after a few days in Normandy, so we can return the car to the same location. And taking the train to Caen/Rouen/Bayeux and picking up the car there isn't going to work in this situation. We're looking for a location easily accessed by train/taxi outside of the Paris city center. Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10601 posts
I did just what you are planning to do. I rented the car at Gare du Nord. It was no big deal, especially with a GPS. I'd advise against doing this on a Friday afternoon. The traffic getting out of Paris was heavier than I was expecting.
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
3989 posts
La Defense. Easy to get to on Metro Line 1 or the RER (though you will need a point to point ticket if you use the RER). Easy taxi ride and after you pick up the car, it's easy to get on A13 to head to Normandy. But, depending on the time of day of your arrival driving from Gare du Nord is pretty easy. You just take Rue Faubourg Saint Denis all the way to the Peripherique. The street name changes Marx Dormoy and then once it turns into Rue de la Chapelle, you stay on the road until you see the signs for the Peripherique. They start showing up right after the Porte de la Chapelle metro stop. You can always return the car at Le Defense. For some reason, I find it a little trickier getting back to Gare du Nord by car than leaving.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
'...looking for a location easily accessed by train/taxi outside of the Paris city center' well, that would be Caen. Why is that not an option for you?
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
Caen and the other Norman cities (can you call them that, or did the Normans all go to England in 1066?) would be an option if you're willing to RER or Metro from Gare du Nord to Gare St-Lazare through the big city. That's doable, even with luggage, but I'd recommend renting the car right at Nord and heading out as suggested above (avoiding Friday PM if possible). We did that heading south and east toward Reims, got turned around a little but it was OK. Should be easier going north and west.
The rental cars at Gare du Nord are one level below the trains. Turn right when you exit the track area, toward the taxi stand, but take the stairs down for the rental offices. The cars are in an underground garage below.
Posted by
OP
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
9 posts
Thank you everyone for the input. I appreciate the advice!
Posted by
Seattle
544 posts
I rented at Gare du Nord last October to do exactly this. It was a great experience except there's a couple of things you should know about:
My iPhone/Google Maps took me on a very not-direct route to the freeway both on my way out and back to Gare du Nord. I recommend setting up GPS, but planning your route on Google Maps ahead of time to make the most direct trip to a freeway/motorway and avoid driving on the busy city streets.
I ended up going through a roundabout that my phone showed as 13 lanes. It was a little chaotic and many of the cars around me were quite scraped up too. I just drove like I do downtown here in Seattle, with a purpose, but carefully and it was fine.
Also, be prepared for the hard sell to buy additional insurance. The guy at the counter was yelling at me that I would have to "buy the whole car" if there was even a scratch. I luckily came back with no damage and did not have to "buy the whole car."
Lastly, be prepared that the parking garage has a corkscrew ramp to get in and out of the garage. You need to watch your mirrors to be sure your don't scratch the rear fender while you're making those tight turns.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
I've rented out of Gare du Nord and returned there...never again. When the train is so super simple and stress free don't know why people want to put themselves through the corkscrew turns and damaged mirrors, clerks pushing the scare stories, 13 lanes of traffic all stopped at rush hour. My gosh, it just doesn't have to be that way.