Southern coast of France

Autoeurope.com is very easy and reliable. It will let you rent a car in Nice and drop in Marseilles.

Yes, AutoEurope is a good choice; they have a 3 day minimum rental period. An obvious place along the way with good night life is St. Tropez. I wouldn't recommend driving in Marseille, but would bypass it and go up to Aix-en-Provence, then Arles and back down to Montpellier (a lively university town with more good nightlife). You could turn the car in there, but since you'd just be 3 more hours to Barcelona, might as well drive there.

Well this has nothing to do with your question but I thought I would pass this along. Sorry if it is not relevant.

Driving the coast at this time is a great idea. Having lived and worked in the C d'Z for years it is my favorite time to be there and worth the summer months. Here is just one sugestion.

If you haven't been try St. Tropez. It is a hellish nightmare in the summer but once fall sets in and the jet set goes home it truly becomes a real village, and truly one of my favorites. Great restaurants that cater to the locals and lots of local-thank-god-the-tourists-are-gone type atmosphere.

Just an idea, happy travles. P.s. When ever I rent a car in France I have always just used whatever agency is giving the best deals, All the american ones are there so it is even possible to reserve ahead.

We just did the coast and southern france and then went to barcelona.

We took the train from Montpellier (talgo) and it is direct no changing trains.
I suggest spending one night in Montpellier, it is a nice university city and I was very impressed by it.