We are traveling by train from Montreux Switzerland to Beaune France via Dijon. I know I can pick up a car rental in Dijon but I am having a difficult time figuring out where I could drop it before heading into Paris for last 6 days of our trip. We plan to spend 2 days in Beaune and then make our way to Guedelon for a visit and plan to stop in Vezelay on way. From Guedelon I believe it is about 3 1/2 - 4 hrs drive to Pierrefonds in Picardie region where we intend to spend 2 nights. I would also like to stop in St. Denis either before or after Pierrefonds but I am having a difficult time figuring out where. I could drop the car and take the train and have only come up with CDG as an option. I am trying to find the least complicated solution. When I input Compiegne or St Denis as potential drop-off locations I am advised that locations are not an option. CDG however is but having not been to France I don't know how complicated it would be to drop off and then either take train to St. Denis and then to Paris or go to St. Denis first and go from CDG into Paris. We are staying on I'le de Cite in Paris. Does anyone have any experience doing this or have suggestions?
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I think that returning the car at deGaulle is not a bad option. There are buses and local trains into the city. The train even stops in St. Denise. But are you sure you can't return the car in Compeigne? Google shows several rental agencies there. Maybe you just need to shop around a bit for an agency that meets your needs. (For that matter, I think you can rent a car in Beaune.) It's so easy to visit St. Denise from central Paris that I would not make any special effort to visit there enroute to Picardy or anything like that.
Posted by
OP
Texas
531 posts
Thanks Adam...we are considering St. Denis as a day trip from Paris. I usually use AutoEurope for piece of mind and all inclusive rates but when I try to input Compiegne it shows the office but will not let me use it whereas EuropCar will but their rates are higher....I guess I cN call them. I guess if all else fails we can return it to CDG and take train into Paris. I just didn't know if this was the more complicated option
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
Give AutoEurope a call and see what they can arrange for you. They also arrange their cars with Europcar. They will also meet, or beat, a competitors price. I also receive a AAA discount.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10623 posts
From Compiegne dropping the car at CDG and taking the RER or a taxis into Paris is probably your best option, unless you want to drive into Paris and drop it there. Anywhere else you'll have to find an agency in a smaller town, find transportation to the train station, and then wait for the next train, which is probably less frequent than the RER. St. Denis is best visited as a day trip from Paris. It's a very close by suburb.
Posted by
OP
Texas
531 posts
Thank you all...we are out of country right now so I will give auto Europe a call when we get home. It does sound like dropping car either in Compiegne or CDG is the way to go and then do St. Denis as a day trip from Paris.