Opinions/ Advice on luggage safety

It's unlikely to be helpful on your arrival day, but someone on the forum suggested buying a chain, running it through the handles of the bags so they can't be moved individually, and adding a sturdy padlock. Obviously, you'd need a local to tell you where to buy such things, and even with such guidance it could prove a time-consuming annoyance. And you'd have to abandon the chain and lock at the end of the trip.

I have no idea how risky the car parks are at the specific spots you plan to visit. At the least, I'd suggest carrying expensive electronic gear and prescription medication in with you--assuming you can do so without violating the sights' size limits for purses or tote bags.

Be sure everything you are not going to carry with you is already stowed in the trunk when you pull into each parking lot, and do not open the trunk to take anything out.

The luggage will not be 100% safe anywhere so put it somewhere so no one can see it and break in through a window to steal it.
If this not possible don't put anything that you can't live without in unattended luggage.

Is it usually safe before or after check out to leave luggage with hotel employees?

Nothing is 100% safe. If you can't trust the hotel then what is the use going on vacation? What are planning to leave in the bag that you think that someone would want to steal? Again, anything that you can't live without take it with you.

Well, it it not that I think they would WANT anything, but rather that the luggage could be stolen because a thief would not KNOW what is inside, yes? I think that is a perfectly valid concern. I'd really like to not have to take valuable vacation time to buy new clothes for four people.

Take reasonable steps to safeguard your stuff. Don't bring anything super-valuable with you on your trip at all. For things that are expensive but worth taking (eg a nice camera), if you can't secure it, keep that with you when you're out and about.

There's some risk to everything in life. Stuff can be replaced. Be smart, but there's no need to obsess and let fear overtake your enjoyment of your trip.

If you must park a car with your bags in it (been there, done that, just a couple weeks ago), pick your parking space carefully, and cover things as best you can. Just like at home, it's unlikely that someone is going to smash your car windows to steal your stuff if it's parked in a well-attended area in broad daylight. Overnight - now that's another thing.

Thanks David. That is helpful.

We have left luggage at hotels all over Europe , including France of course , many times - never had an issue - I don’t think most hotels employ thieves, and we chose smaller family run hotels where we’ve always felt safe period . That’s not to say you won’t ever encounter a thief - but no more likely in France than your own home town !

I would not leave luggage inside a car ( where it is seen ) anywhere , including Canada or the United States ! It’s never a good idea to put temptation out like that ! Bring less luggage ! Four medium suitcases can fit in a mid size trunk - 4 large bags would not . And do not leave any electronics or passports in car or trunk ! Ever ! Always carry valuables or keep in hotel safes !

I agree with David. We've rented a car several times in France. I guess, we were foolish and lucky, because we weren't all that careful about keeping things out of sight. We did have a trunk each time we rented but I tend to keep things handy in the back seat and didn't think much about it. Our car was parked on the road by Giverny with no issue. I don't bring much of value on vacation. Only one or two costume necklaces, my old ipad, my super old ipod, that's about it. My husband has a bunch of fancy camera gear but he usually has it with him. When he doesn't he does put it in the trunk. I feel like you just can't worry so much, just try to be as cautious as you can without going crazy. . . In general, I don't carry around stuff that I would mind losing. I never worry about leaving luggage with hotels, either. However, I will generally pull and carry my passport.

As others have already covered the luggage in the car topic, I cannot help but ask if I am reading your post correctly.

You are arriving at CDG after an overnight flight, driving to Versailles, then to Giverny and on to Bayeaux on your arrival day?

If so, this is extraordinarily ambitious.

Good catch, Joe. I read right past that, thinking about chaining the luggage up in the trunk!

Indeed, if that is their plan, they are going to have much bigger safety issues to worry about than having their bags stolen.

Another easy safeguard is to back into the parking place that has a wall, so that the trunk / hatchback cannot be opened without moving the car. Not always possible, but when you can, it may make breaking a window not an easy access to the trunk.

Limit your luggage to 1 carryon per person. This will make it more likely that all bags will fit in the trunk. Remember, cars in Europe are smaller than what we are used to in the US, so fitting 4 people and luggage in 1 car can be a challenge.

You are arriving at CDG after an overnight flight, driving to Versailles, then to Giverny and on to Bayeaux on your arrival day?

As I read it, they're driving to Versailles the arrival day, staying there overnight, then going to Giverny and Bayeaux the next day.

Many posters on this forum do not recommend driving on your arrival day if you are flying from the US and therefore may be suffering from jet lag. I for one sleep poorly on planes and would be dangerous behind the wheel.

Versailles takes a full day and Giverny about 2-3 hours so I wouldn't enjoy trying to cram both of them into one day - not enough time to enjoy either one in my opinion.

I recommend going straight to a Paris or Versailles hotel and leaving your luggage there. Rent a car the next day when you've had a chance to grab some sleep.

Another vote for bringing less stuff. Somehow my wife and I can do carry on only for our travels. Will do the same thing this summer.

Oops, I didn't see this question:
"Lastly, we will have several hours after we leave our hotel in Rennes before either flying out or taking the train where our luggage will need to be in the car. Any suggestions on keeping it safe?"

I usually leave it with the hotel and return there to pick it up when it's time to head to the airport or train station.

Try to travel with one carry-on sized suitcase and a day bag or backpack per person. There are lots of tips for packing light here: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light and here: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing. I take the same amount whether I'm travelling for a week or three weeks, I just add a morning at a laundromat

If your suitcases are small they are easier to wrangle and you can use public transportation to Versailles and rent your car there.

I highly recommend that you download and thoroughly read the free brochure, What you should know about renting a car in Europe 2019, from Gemut.com. Pay particular attention to the section on the kinds of cars you will get in Europe compared to what you'll get in the US.

Leave nothing in the vehicle that is valuable or visible. Do your messing around in the trunk or hatchback someplace else and before you park the car. These are precautions to follow no matter where you are or whether you're driving your own vehicle or a rental.

And as others have said, traveling with a carry-on and personal item only will make it much easier for the 4 of you to hide your stuff. I'm another of those who pack for 1 week and travel for several. Sink washing, laundry service and a DIY laundry are all your friends. In addition to other packing info, you might want to read this specific thread called, Why didn't I listen to you, Rick? And watching Sarah Murdoch's video, Packing Light & Right, would be useful for everyone on the trip.

We will be arriving at CDG airport in the early morning and then
renting car to drive to Versailles. We are going to try to rent a car
with a trunk, but not sure if there will be one with a trunk large
enough to hide luggage for four adults. We are thinking on taking the
luggage to the hotel and asking them to keep it until check in time
rather than leaving it in the car as we tour Versailles, however,
would it be too risky to leave the luggage in the car while we tour
Versailles if we would rather do it this way? Is it likely to get
stolen?

Also, when we leave Versailles we will be traveling to Giverny to see
Monet's Garden on our way to Bayeux. Would the luggage be safe in the
car there or no?

Any thoughts or suggestions from other travelers on this matter would
be appreciated.

Your problem is NOT about luggage security. To do this much driving after a cross-Atlantic overnight flight makes you very susceptible to being in a car accident. Your concern is merely LUGGAGE????

Check into your hotel after you arrive and then go to Versailles and Giverny the next day. Or hire a driver if you are determined to visit Versailles and Giverny on the day you arrive and assume you will visit both in a daze from jetlag thereby not really experiencing any of these two locales you traveled so far to see.

It depends a great deal on the size of the car and the size of the luggage. Most auto rental sites indicate the number of pieces of luggage (large and small separately). Something else to consider is that if your luggage won't all fit in the trunk, where are you going to put it while there are 2 adults riding in the back seat, which is usually somewhat cramped seating to start with.

France isn't Italy. I haven't witnessed parking lots full of broken glass (from cars being broken into) in France but saw it often in Italy.

That said, leaving luggage, or any valuable, in plain sight in your rental car - especially in big tourist locations - is never a good thing. To reduce the problem, reduce your luggage footprint as much as possible. I made my family travel with one carry-on bag only and now travel with only a small shoulder bag.

European rental cars will have either small trunks or a back area with a cover. The trunks are rarely big enough to accommodate even four small bags. When you get to the rental agent, ask specifically for a car that will accommodate your luggage (in a concealed area). If you can get all your luggage out of sight, you greatly improve your odds of having no problems.

Joe brings up a really good point about how much driving is safe to do on your jet lag day (first day after intercontinental flight). From a safety perspective, It's as important to give yourself some time to adjust to the new clock before driving as it is to make sure your luggage is concealed.

I've never had trouble leaving my luggage either before check-in or after check-out at any hotel in Europe--I do make sure to lock the bags, though. Obviously if there's anything extremely important or irreplaceable I wouldn't leave it in the luggage. I also like Lo's suggestion of doing any transfer of items to the trunk PRIOR to arriving at where you'll leave the car--I do this here at home if I need to leave my purse in the car for a hike, it's already in the trunk when I park.