Europcar vs Sixt

Sixt tends to be a bit pushier regarding extra insurance when you are at the counter, but otherwise, my experiences (all pre-covid) have been good.
What are the branch locations you have in mind? This could help to decide.

Have you tried a broker such as RentalCars.com or Europcar.com. They represent several companies and so you may get a better rate. Europcar also has electric cars so you won’t need to refill the gas tank.

We always use AutoEurope.com , a broker based in Maine, and have been given both Sixt and Europcar , no problems with either of them.

I do the same thing Suki does.

I've used both Europcar and Sixt. More Europcar. They are both good, but several times Europcar has gone above and beyond, so all being equal I would go with Europcar. If Sixt is significantly cheaper, I've never had a problem with them either.

Thanks for everyone's inputs. I booked the Europcar via AutoEurope. The pickup/drop off location is Paris Gare du Nord. Is this a convenient location to pick up the car? I chose it because I'll arrive in Paris on Eurostar.

I personally would not want to drive in Paris, but its up to you.

If you stick with your current plan, Gare du Nord is as good a place as any because it is major streets out of town until you get to the Péripherique (the beltway around Paris), and then onto the A14 to Normandy.

If its not too late to change your Eurostar ticket, I would get off at Lille and drive from there. Its a longer drive (4 hours to Caen, rather than 2 1/2 from Paris), but its pleasant easy driving, not Paris.

Another option is to take a second train out from Gare du Nord to Saint-Denis, Charles-de-Gaulle Airport or some other commuter belt location where you can rent from (I happened to notice on Google Maps that there is a Europcar a few blocks from Saint-Ouen-l'Aumone station). When we planned a similar trip, we took train to Mantes-la-Jolie and rented from there to go to Normandy. But MLJ trains originate from Gare St-Lazare, and it wouldn't be worth crossing Paris to get to that station.

Or, do the cross-Paris trip to Gare St-Lazare, take a train to Caen, and rent from there. I've done it that way also.

I'd rather drive from Lille if it's not too late, but if it is, then Gare du Nord does make the most sense - any other option is too much hassle. It's not that far to the Paris ring road (Périphérique), and once you're there, you're good. Take A13 instead of A14 to save 8 euros in tolls and lose only 5-10 minutes.

darrenblois and balso, thank you for giving me these good ideas to chew on. It is good to know that Gare du Nord is not the worst choice. :)