Car Rental in France; Paris to Loire

I'd recommend picking a town outside Paris on the way to the Loire Valley, taking the train to that town and renting a car from there. Return car there and train back to Paris. I like renting through AutoEurope.com. You can get their phone # from their website, call and talk to a real person. They can tell you what towns have a car rental place affiliated with them. Look on a map, check out the route, and see what large towns might be good options for you before you call.

Getting out of Paris is relatively easy, it's getting back into Paris that's difficult.

You might consider taking the TGV from Gare Montparnasse to Tours/St Pierre des Corps (1 hour). There will be many car rental companies at the TGV station, and Tours is a central base for the Loire. You would then simply return the car and TGV back to Paris in the evening...rather than spending your time in traffic.

Thank you for the suggestions. It seems like it would be easiest to rent a car in Tours.

Tours wouldn't be my first choice. We had a really hard time driving in and around Tours, and I've read others have too. I'd look at smaller towns on the way from Paris to Amboise (Maybe Blois? It's very easy to drive in and around), and check the train schedules at www.bahn.de

Between Blois and Amboise you have many of the top chateaux (Chenonceau, Chambord, Cheverny). You could stay east of Tours and have a full day. You won't be able to see them all, and staying east of Tours keeps it simple and more relaxing imo.

By taking the TGV, do you not avoid the need to drive in Tours itself? That is how I recall it anyway. And FYI, check out the Auberge de Launay, a really nice and reasonably priced hotel with optional meal plan just east of Tours. We spent 4 or 5 days in the area, the Auberge was a terrific little place and travel through the area was easy and convenient. I found them on tripadvisor, and our stay there remains a highlight among many trips to Europe.

Hi Matthew, I took the tgv to tours and rented a car while there. We had enough time to drive to Chambord and Chenenceaux. Get a couple different maps prior to leaving and double check with the car rental agency. We loved our trip because of course we got lost a couple times, but the little towns you will drive through etc. is worth it. Plan to leave early and arrive back late to insure you give yourself enough time. I wouldn't recommend driving from Paris.

Hi Mathew, Just wondering what you decided to do? I am also just trying to book a car for next month for same area as after Paris we are heading to the Loire Valley for 4 days. We were thinking of picking up at Gare Montparnasseor and dropping at airport on a Sunday. Thanks - Wendy