Posted on October 22, 2009 by Fiona Hilliard

Hi Fiona

We’re heading to Disneyland Paris over the mid-term with our three children. We’ve arranged to rent a car from Paris CDG airport to take us there.  We also hope to get around the city in our rental car.  Although we’ve visited and rented cars in France many times, we’ve never actually driven in Paris. Is it worth the hassle or should we just leave the car at the hotel and take the metro while in the city?

Siobhain, Co. Cork

Hi Siobhain

You may be on to something there. For the uninitiated, driving in Paris is notoriously difficult. Heavy rush hour traffic in the suburbs of Paris between 7 and 10am and 5 and 8pm makes getting around the city a nightmare.  Avoid driving during these times at all costs. Daily Paris metro passes are a good investment.  Costing £10 (€12) each for adult tickets and £6 (€7) for children’s passes, it’s a small price to pay for a passport that will get you to all the famous sights. 

If you do decide to brave the roads, keep the following in mind:

Take special care when driving in built up areas. The (Priorité a droite) rule applies here meaning you have to give priority to traffic coming from the right.  On roundabouts you should give priority to traffic already on the roundabout, i.e. coming from your left as you enter the roundabout.

Please be aware that children under 10 are not allowed to sit in the front seat.  Children seated in the rear of the car must be restrained in a system appropriate to their weight.

Dipped headlights should be used in times of poor daylight, this will apply to you, especially since you’re visiting in October.

If you have the misfortune of breaking down, please remember that you must display a warning triangle.
Please check that one has been supplied to your vehicle before leaving the car rental agent.

Enjoy Paris and Disneyland!

Do you have a question for our Travel Advice section?  Drop us a line at news@arguscarhire.com and we’ll do our best to help!

Fiona