How dangerous is Paris driving

If you can handle those cities, you can handle Paris, too. You just need to know that there aren't always (maybe never...not real sure) clear lanes painted on the street and the street signs are hard (impossible actually) to see when you're behind the wheel. The signs are actually on buildings (not the street corners), and they can be obstructed by trees or other crap in your field of vision. It's even hard for the navigator. Nobody will use turn signals, and they'll pretty much just change lanes whenever they want and without looking. At least in NYC, the other driver knows you're there...he just doesn't care and cuts you off anyway...you'll either stop or crash (which has never actually happened to me anyway). I'm not sure the drivers in Paris even know that you're there. I'm talking specifically about driving into/out of central Paris. Once you get out past the periphery and onto the motorway, you're home free. Just a few thoughts from the top of my head. BTW, notice all of the parked cars on the street with big fender dents and bashed up bumpers...should give you an idea of what driving there every day would be like. I don't think I would want a new car in Paris.

If you survived Rome and Italy you will survive Paris. But take out all the insurance you can get.

I have mainly watched rather than participated in Paris traffic but if you have done Rome and, no doubt, Boston you should be good to go in Paris. For the cost of parking you can probably take a couple of cab rides and not have to worry about finding your way etc. and getting to and from the parking garages. Time may be getting short for a summer trip but here is a thought. If you can do a lease plan, there is no pick up or drop off charge at CDG, and CDG is easy to get to on the RER. We have flown into Paris, spent a couple days to see the city and get time adjusted and then gone back out to CDG to pick up the car and be on our way. Have a great trip.

You drove in Mexico City and Rome. Paris will be piece of cake for you.

Rome is much worse then Paris. Paris will be a cinch compared to Rome!

This may be the only time in my life I'd tell someone they're fine to drive in Paris. I've heard Rome and Mexico City are really difficult so if you handled those without a problem, go for it. (Although I find it weird you grouped Berlin in there, Berlin was by far the easiest big city to drive in ever - nothing like NYC or SF or Paris)

Driving into Paris, and out of Paris and just parking in a long term lot are not the big issues, but parking for sightseeing may be. As long as you don't actually plan on using your car to get to sights you should be ok. Street parking is VERY limited so using a car to get around is a waste of time and money, you will often end up finding a spot so far from a site that the nearest metro stop is closer, lol might as well have taken the metro or bus!

Given your driving history, I'd say you'll be fine. There are two things that might be a little different: roundabouts and "priority à droit." Nowadays, almost all roundabouts give priority to the person exiting (and you often see a sign which says, "Vous n'avez pas la priorité" which means you have to yield to those exiting. If there are two lanes for entering the roundabout, the rules (which are followed if someone wants to LOL) are that you enter on the right hand land if you're exiting in the first half, and enter in the left hand lane if you're exiting on the second half (and you're supposed to use your left turn signal to indicate you're driving around most of it). However, occassionally you'll find one with solid and dashe lines painted on the streets around the roundabout, and that means you have priority to enter, and have to wait til it's clear to exit. "Priority à droit" means the person coming from your right has priority. It can take some getting used to. You'll be driving along and have to yield to the person coming from the side street on your right. And that person can hold up traffic if they're turning left, because they can only get halfway across until they ahve to wait to yield to the traffic coming from their right (which is the traffic going in the opposite direction of you - hope that makes sense)! This is quite common on the western side of Paris and in the suburbs. Also big in small towns around France. Bon chance!

Thank you everyone. This is all great information. 94 days to go.

I would only get to your out of the city center hotel and then forget the car. Paris streets are for cab drivers and the very well versed. The distraction of driving robs you of what you came to see. Paris metro and Paris buses let you enjoy the city and the people. In my humble opinion Paris' street plan looks some one dropped a pound of raw spagetti and used that as their street plan. Have to Paris three times, about four weeks total. Don. San Antonio

I would only get to your out of the city center hotel and then forget the car. Paris streets are for cab drivers and the very well versed. The distraction of driving robs you of what you came to see. Paris metro and Paris buses let you enjoy the city and the people. In my humble opinion Paris' street plan looks some one dropped a pound of raw spagetti and used that as their street plan. Have to Paris three times, about four weeks total. Don. San Antonio