I am spending ten days in the South of France with a friend. I then will go to Dijon for six days to visit relatives. Is it a good/bad idea to drive alone this distance? I can rent a car for six days for the same cost of one train ticket to Dijon plus one ticket to Paris. I would like a car in Dijon for sight-seeing purposes and they don't have one. We will then drive to Paris, turn the car in, and sight see there. Where would be a good place south or southeast of Paris to return a car...Orly?
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I've never driven to Dijon from Nice (I've driven from other directions), but your idea sounds reasonable. I would add, though, that unless your relatives live on the outskirts of the city, Dijon is compact enough that you should be able to explore the city without driving. Also, Dijon is probably the most difficult city for driving that I have ever encountered. An under-rated city for travelers, yes, but a labyrinthine nightmare to navigate in a car.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
It's a good idea if a road trip appeals to you, otherwise not. The alternative is to use rentals only for local exploration (Nice, Burgundy) and take the train to get from region to region. ie, rail to Dijon, where you rent a car to see Burgundy.
I think there are charms to the road but it is not a simple trip. Similarly, one obvious candidate for the best place to return your car is Dijon. You could also pick a town on the TGV route to Paris such as Montbard.
Posted by
Kapaa, HI, USA
7 posts
Another thing to consider is that the fastest route will be the peage, which is France's systeem of toll roads. France has wonderful highways, but they're not cheap. If cost is an issue, you'll need to factor that into your calculations, unless you don't mind taking the slower roads. Haven't driven in Dijon, but if you want to visit some of the Burgundy countryside and wine region, a car certainly makes it easier. Orly would be a good place to return the car, and transportation back into the city is easy.