Will be staying in Orange. Returning rental car to Avignon TGV for 6:40AM train to Paris. Do I drive down that morning
and trust the drop key box for the rental car or come down the day before, drop off car and stay in a hotel. Further complication, would it be difficult to get early morning transportation to the train station.
I've had to leave rental cars at closed offices several times before and have not had problems. I've always rented through Autoeurope. I do take pictures of the car from all sides just in case there is a claim of damage but, as I said, I've never had problems.
Sometimes it also helps to call the local agent to find out how they want the car dropped and where. That way they know it's coming.
I'd drop the car at the station.
We have dropped a car at the Avignon TGV station twice--with no problems. The key drop can be hard to find, so ask about it when you pick the car up.