Paris rental drop off

Having taken a rental car from one of the train stations in Paris (as opposed to returning it there), I highly recommend using Orly instead. Driving through the city streets is slow going and can be stressful in terms of getting in the wrong lane so you'd be forced to make a turn you don't want to make or else make a last-minute lane change to the annoyance of other drivers. Plus if you're arriving in Paris after dark it would be even worse. Orly, like most airports, is right by the major routes and well signposted.

You could use a taxi or a car service from Orly to your hotel. Dropping off your rental after a long day, I'd think the expense would be worth it instead of wrangling your luggage on the trains. We used Paris Webservices car service when we landed at CDG; recommended in the RS Guide (or at least it was in the year we were there) and you got a discount by showing the driver your copy of the RS book. Our driver was very pleasant and spoke fluent English as he'd gone to college in the U.S. for a year. The car was nice and new and clean. When he dropped us off, he waited to make sure there was no snafu with our check-in at the hotel.

The fixed fare for a taxi from Orly to your hotel on the Left Bank is €32 (as of Feb 2020) including both of you and your luggage.

Although I’ve driven the route you’re planning through Paris to the Invalides neighborhood, and I’m familiar with the one way side streets, I’d probably drop the car at Orly where there is a rental agent on hand to check in your car. It’s a quick walk from the rental car check in area to the official taxi line, and there are luggage carts available.

Yes, drop at Orly and take a fixed-rate taxi from the official taxi queue to the door of your hotel for 33€ . It’s not worth hassling the urban transport plus metro for nearly the same price.

Edit: so the new price is 32, even better,

Will the traffic really be that bad at 10 pm? How sketchy will the parking garage be? It feels like the most straightforward route.

You asked our advice. We gave it. Take it or leave it. Do what you want since you are questioning our answers.

Ok. Well thanks. Sorry I wanted additional information. I was just curious. I'll bow out now.

Yes, we have considered the train, but it becomes cheaper to and less time consuming when you factor in the shuttle from Geneva airport to Chamonix. Plus, we really like the idea of exploring the countryside at our speed. all in one day of course ;)

felesh,
Ok, if you really want to drive in Paris, then late night is probably better than midday. Here’s what I’d do. First use the Via Michelin website to preview the route from Fontainebleau to your hotel. There is an option for actual drivers view.https://www.viamichelin.com/

Then my personal route recommendation is to exit the peripherique (beltway) at Porte d’Orleans. This route has wider streets and fewer turns. I can go into detail if you really want to do this.

Regarding the parking lot, is it Parking Indigo on the esplanade? It won’t be really dodgy, but do be alert after midnight. Even in summer, the weeknights can be quieter on the streets after midnight.

The parking at Gare des Invalides is monitored and completely safe. At 10 pm, there is will minimal traffic in the city. I would not drop off at ORY, but continue to the périphérique ouest (West) from A6 and exit Porte d´Orléans (exit on the right) just before the entry ramp to the périphérique. Proceed north on ave du Général Leclerc. Turn left (it's only a 45-degree turn) at Alésia (it´s a big church) to ave du Maine, follow it to blvd des Invalides.

Confirm the route on a map such as google maps. This will get you to your hotel much faster than dropping off at ORY, plan roughly one hour en route.

Note: I was writing my post as Barbara posted. I agree completely with what she has written.

Thanks so much! My husband and I are considering both options. Fontainebleau will be closed that day, I just realized. We need to find a different side trip.