Seeking First‑Hand Experiences With Car Rental Companies in Nice (Other Than Sixt)

Everyone hates rental car companies and those who have no opinion do not write reviews.

The French drive cars with standard/manual transmissions, automatics are far less desirable. If you want or need an automatic, you will pay more. If your quotes breakout the individual tax amounts charged, you will see a special "environmental tax", an extra tax on cars with automatic transmissions.

I have two recommendations:

1. Get a quote from www.autoeurope.com which is a US company. You will always have someone who speaks English if you have a problem and their quotes have always been competitive.

2. Use a premium credit card that includes "primary" rental car coverage and decline rental car company insurance.

I've always used Europcar and always had a good experience. They usually have the best rates for one-way rentals as you propose.

I'd recommend you check with AutoEurope. I've had very good experience with them, regardless of which company the actual rental comes from. And I've never paid more than about 40% of what you're quoting, though I have never rented a wagon. You might want to broaden your search to include SUVs such as the Peugeot 2008.

opagetrip29,
How many people in your group? Check AutoEurope for a wide selection of rental companies to compare. Double check the car type and size. and watch how your luggage will fit. Do remember that many small villages have narrow streets that might be difficult to maneuver in with a large car (van or "wagon"). 200 euros a day seems pretty pricey to me, but we haven't rented in France since 2023. We had an automatic with A/C full-size sedan that comfortably seated four adults with room in the back for four carry-on bags and four small backpack type items. If there are kids, three are okay in the back, but that fifth suitcase would be tight. Not fun for those in the back seat on a long drive.

opagetrip29,
How many people in your group? Check AutoEurope for a wide selection of rental companies to compare. Double check the car type and size. and watch how your luggage will fit. Do remember that many small villages have narrow streets that might be difficult to maneuver in with a large car (van or "wagon"). 200 euros a day seems pretty pricey to me, but we haven't rented in France since 2023. We had an automatic with A/C full-size sedan that comfortably seated four adults with room in the back for four carry-on bags and four small backpack type items. If you are traveling with kids (not adult-sized teens), three are okay in the back, but that fifth suitcase would be tight. Not fun for those in the back seat on a long drive.
We used Avis for a rental from Marseille Gare St. Charles, pick-up and return, and from Bordeaux Gare St Jean, pick-up and return. Our son did the same at Bordeaux airport. All three rental experiences were very good. No complaints with Avis, just getting to and from the train stations in both cities. Neither city is easy to drive in.

Sorry about the double post. I need more coffee!

Almost all rental companies get bad reviews sometimes. But if you read the reason you'd notice that a lot of them are the fould of the renter. They didn't read or didn't understand their T+C.
So if you read exactly and understand the T+C, and if you take all the offered insurances without deduct, you'll be fine with almost all companies. They won't have a reason for finding any dents, because they would have to work it out with their insurance for themselves.
For sure, have a look at the tires and test if the brakes work well.
As you want to book a oneway-trip this also could enhance the price.
Oh, and as I don't know your Nationality, you'd inform yourself if you need an IDP in France.