Paris car rental location advice

You didn’t ask but parking in Rouen is impossible due to required permits so confirm that your hotel has parking accommodations or if you are staying in an Airbnb plan ahead and determine where the 24 hour parking structures are in town. Fortunately Rouen is very walkable so you won’t need the car while there.

I drove from Paris to Rouen last year. I rented form a Hertz location by Porte Maillot, which is very close to the periphery roads, and allowed me to leave Paris without having to drive in downtown Paris proper. The location is not too far from your hotel. I stayed at a hotel in the old town at Hotel Mercure Rouen Centre Cathedrale. When I drove there, I thought I had taken a wrong turn as it appeared I was in a pedestrian zone. Which I was. But it was okay and you actually have to go through that to get to their underground parking. When I left, they gave me a pin code to enter so the parking bollard would go down and allow me to exit. I did not drive in Rouen except to get to and from the hotel—which was my plan. But it worked out perfectly.

Thank you, Phil. We are staying at the exact same hotel! Great information!

Are you planning on visiting Versailles and Giverny on the same day, then driving to Rouen for that same night? Versailles is pretty much a full day visit, Giverny about 2-4 hours. Factor in your drive times to see when you will arrive in Rouen. Versailles to Giverny is about an hour, Giverny to Rouen an hour also, both using the autoroutes. Also, if you pick up your car that same morning, give yourself an hour for paperwork and the rental process, etc. Perhaps it would be better to get the car in Versailles. Just don't want to see you too squeezed for time. WIn 2017 we went to Giverny, leaving from a suburb of Paris, (already had our car), had lunch after our visit there, and drove to Rouen on D roads, getting there, finding parking and checking in to our hotel, in time to see the cathedral and walk all around the centre ville before finding a nice place for dinner. I can't imagine visiting Versailles and Giverny the same day, then driving to Rouen, finding our parking and checking in to lodgings. Any Rouen sightseeing would have to be the next day.
This will work if you don't plan on seeing both the palace and all the grounds at Versailles. Depending on when you go, the lines and crowds could slow you down. Refine your expectations of both Versailles and Monet's Gardens and you will be able to do it all in one day, but with some limitations.
Bonne chance!

Hi Judy,
Yes, we are planning to do Versailles and Giverny on the same day, and then we will head to Rouen for dinner and to spend the night. We plan to see the museum the next day and then head to Bayeux, where we will stay for 2 nights. I agree it's a lot to fit in. I've been to both Versailles and Giverny before, but my husband has not.
Do you think Orly is a better place to pick up a rental?

KimVC,
If it were me, I would pick Orly, just because any driving in Paris is a major pain. And Orly is much easier to navigate than CDG. Also, I am pretty sure the car rental hours are better at an airport than in town, where they may not open up until 9. You will also have a better selection of cars, as well as (I believe) the opportunity to get an early start for your day.
If you haven't checked Autoeurope, they are a good place to find a car rental. They list all the companies and make it easy to compare cars, prices, etc. And in planning your driving, viamichelin.com is an easy site to use. Just keep in mind that they, along with most other map apps, don't factor in time for stops for gas, meals, bathrooms, so add some time onto the time they say. I like Viamichelin.com because they usually have an option for a scenic route as well, and sometimes that is just what we need!
Have fun!