Car Hire at Charles de Gaulle Airport
This information is correct as of July 2015
Paris, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, makes a fine city to explore. Its quarters are like a patchwork of villages that serve as a backdrop for fascinating landmarks, such as the wrought-iron spire of Eiffel Tower and the broad Arc de Triomphe. The most glamourous avenue in Paris, the Champs-Elysees, is also a sight not to miss here. Various restaurants also feature the best of French cuisine, with several vintage shops allowing for stylish shopping sprees.
Where to hire a car at Charles de Gaulle Airport
Upon landing on the airport, there are several modes of transport to consider. Renting a car is possible here in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, where several companies have desks in Terminal 1 (Arrival level after the baggage claim area between gates 24-30) and Terminal 2 (Espace Service Level between 2A/2C and 2B/2D, as well as Gate 2 at the Arrival level in Central Parking Plaza between 2E/2F). There are 14 listed agencies ready to provide car rental options, which you can consider ahead of time while planning your trip to Paris.
When renting a car, you must be at least 20 years old and have had a driver's licence for at least a year. Carrying a valid EU, international, or a U.S. state licence allows you to drive in Paris. You should choose insurance coverage as offered in the rental terms, however, as it is mandatory by law.
What to expect when hiring a car from Charles de Gaulle Airport
Driving in Paris can be quite the experience due to the difficulty of navigating a confusing road system of medieval lanes, angled avenues and boulevards, and frequent roundabouts without lane markings. Traffic jams can also be a problem, especially if you take note of the number of major routes surrounding the airport. These are A1, E15, N104, D401, D212, N2, A104, and various others. They lead to different parts of Ile-de-France and other areas such as Creil , Meaux, Creteil, Boulogne-Billancourt, Versailles, Compiegne, Melun Dammarie-les-Lys, Etampes, and many more communities.
Most French autoroutes are toll motorways, and entrances to them are marked with the word 'Peage'. Pick up a ticket from a booth as you enter the autoroute, with the payment asked for when you leave the autoroute or else when the toll station comes to an end. Congestion charges may not be applicable, but it might get implemented so prepare a certain amount. One-way streets can be found in different parts of Paris, so be sure to use a GPS device or a detailed map to navigate your way across the city.
Cycling is also prevalent in different parts of the city, making it important to keep your attention on the road. If you need to refuel, you can find Total Raffinage or the Station-service TOTAL in the airport. There are also 24 and Esso stations on the side routes near Charles de Gaulle. More petrol stations can be found on the way to the city proper.
Driving around Charles de Gaulle Airport
More than 30 kilometres away from Paris, going to the city centre can take around an hour or so, depending on the traffic conditions. To get here, take the slip road to A1/A3/A16/A104/Paris/Marne-la-Vallee/Cergy-Pontoise in Roissy-en-France. From here, take A3 to Boulevard Edouard Branly/D36BIS in Romainville. Take exit 3 from A3 and then continue on Boulevard Edouard Branly/D36BIS. Take D20A, Avenue Gambetta/D208, Rue du Surmelin, Avenue Gambetta, and Rue Saint-Antoine to Rue de Rivoli in Paris.
Parking can be difficult to manage in Paris, making it necessary that you arrange with a hotel about an available parking spot. If you want to park outside a hotel, look for spaces painted in white in the streets. If you see the word 'Payant', then fees must be paid. Machines (horodateurs) are located at intervals along the street where coupons may be purchased for 15 minutes to two hours of parking time. The coupon must be left inside the vehicle, visible through the windshield on the driver's side. It is forbidden to park on certain main routes through the centre of Paris, which are labelled 'axes rouges' (red routes).
Getting to your destination
Soissons
One of the most ancient towns of northern France, Soissons was a major medieval city before falling into oblivion for centuries. Those going here can check out the Cathedral Saint-Gervais & Saint-Protais, which marks the centre of the city. There is also the Square Saint-Pierre, the only remaining part of the Abbey of Our Lady, one of the largest female monasteries in northern France.
Get on N2 in Thieux from D212 and then continue on Avenue Jean Monnet/N31. Take Boulevard Jeanne d'Arc to Rue Saint-Jean. You can reach the city in around an hour, with parking limited only to some establishments in the city.
Compiegne
This attractive town in the Picardy region lies along the Oise River. It is Roman in origin, which flourished in the Middle Ages and was the site of assemblies and councils under the Merovingian kings. You will find here the Hotel de Ville (town hall), a late Gothic structure with a belfry in its facade.
Get on N2 in Thieux from D212 and then follow N2 to N330 in Picardie. Take the N330 exit from N2 and then get on A1/E15 in Chamant from N330. Follow A1/E15 to E46/N31 in Canly. Take exit 10 from A1/E15. Follow N31 to Place de l'Hotel de ville in Compiegne. This route has tolls, with nearly an hour of driving in good traffic conditions. Parking is limited, which makes it necessary to arrange for a spot near some accommodations in the town.
Beauvais
A large town about 75 kilometres north of Paris is the capital of the Oise departement. The area around the cathedral and the Town Hall make an interesting sight, as well as the Church of Saint Etienne for its interesting mix of Roman and Renaissance styles.
You will need to get on N104 from Route de l'Arpenteur. Follow N104 to N1 in Attainville. Take the exit towards D301/Beauvais/Amiens/Montsoult/Presles from N104. Merge onto N1 and follow A16 to E46 in Allonne. Take exit 14 from A16 and then D1001 and D139 to Rue Beauregard in Beauvais. This route has tolls, with more than an hour of travelling. Parking will have to be arranged beforehand, though.