Where/ how to return an AVIS car rental to Saint Pierre des Corps after hours on Sunday?

We returned a car to Avis at that location after they were closed but still daylight, in Oct 2021. Large parking lot before the gate, where we were told to leave the car, had no available spots. We were not told how to open the gate to get closer to Avis when we picked up the car from them despite telling the super nice guy working there we’d be returning it on Sunday after they were closed. We were desperate, had minutes to get to our train, so we left it parked in front of gate, but to the side so cars could get by when gate was opened. The slot to put the key in is obvious at the door to Avis. We called them Monday morning to make sure all was well, and it was. They easily found the car. The gate is very close to Avis and to the train station entrance. So, if all else fails, do what we did and don’t stress about it. We speak French but the guy working there that day spoke very good English.

HI Susan,
Thanks for the info. Did it appear that there were marked AVIS parking areas in the lot? My hat goes off to you for being so bold and leaving the car parked by the gate. We are also catching a train, but we want to get there early enough to allow for any snafus.
Debbie

Hi Debbie, No, there were no Avis pkng spots in the lot before the gate at the time we returned the car. We did not even know there was a gate when we picked up the car (it was just a metal bar at that time, not actually a “gate”) as it was open and unnoticeable to us. Super nice guy working there failed to tell us it’d be closed when we returned the car, so we were very surprised by it. We had no choice but to leave the car where we did, we absolutely had to catch our train. I hope you have a great trip, the Loire Valley is wonderful!

Thanks, Susan!

Hi Debbie, Just to add and clarify, we got there in plenty of time to catch our train but trying to find/wait for a spot in the larger lot before the “gate” ate up our time. We did not expect to not to be able to park in front of Avis which had plenty of empty spots when we returned, but no one could get to. Don’t know what purpose that “gate” serves, lol!

And maybe he didn't say the word "gate".... I just guessed that what he said since he mentioned a green button.

We'll see.

Thanks for the P.S. on this.

Debbie

Hi, i think it makes sense that he did say gate… : )

He gave you very good directions. Go to Google maps and enter Rue de la Galbosiere (I’m on my iPad and can’t do accents but there is an accent over the first e) and you will see that it goes into the train station lot. You press the green button at the gate to get a ticket. You park there and you drop off the keys and the ticket at the Avis after-hours box. Take pics of the car and the mileage when you leave it just in case. It probably won’t help if someone hits it but it might help if an employee takes the car on a joyride.

HI JHK,
Thanks very much for adding clarity. I'm feeling a lot more confident about the process. And double thanks for the reminder to take pictures of the car afterwards.

Much appreciated.

Debbie

Debbie, plan for plenty of time for this drop off. We have done it a couple of times and either traffic or someone stuck in the entrance unable to get the gate to lift up (it's super easy but may be temperamental) ate up our time and we found ourselves rushing to get the train.

JHK-
EXCELLENT advice! We will definitely allow for plenty of time.
Thanks!
Debbie