Car Hire in Brest
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        About Brest

        Brest is a port city in the Finistère department in the Brittany region of western France. The city is divided into two parts by the Penfeld River.

        The city has had a turbulent past. The last major devastation of Brest took place in 1944 when the city was heavily bombed. Brest has always risen from the rubble and has been rebuilt after each devastation. Today, the city is modern and full of amazing architecture. In addition to modern buildings, there are also some great historical attractions that you can visit. Brest does have a lot to offer and that is why it is so popular with tourists and travellers from all over the world.

        Brest has always been an important port. In the 19th century, it became a military base. Even during the Second World War, when many infrastructures for submarines were built, the city was largely used for military purposes. Today, along with Toulon, it is still an important naval base. This is largely due to the natural protection provided by the sheltered area where the Rade de Brest is located. Besides the military port, Brest also has a beautiful commercial port, the Quai Commandant-Malbert. You can take a nice stroll through this port and enjoy the view of different ships and boats, from old wooden beauties to modern yachts full of prestige, in many cosy bars and restaurants.

        The city is also famous for its Océanopolis, the only ocean discovery centre of this kind in Europe. If you visit this centre, you will have the opportunity to see the seal clinic and other animals that live there. In general, Brest is a modern city full of innovations and modern solutions. By the way, Brest has the first urban cable car (téléphérique) in France, which offers another incredible view of Brest. This urban cable car connects two parts of the city over the riverbank. The accessibility of this city is another plus when deciding whether or not to visit Brest. One thing is for sure, if you decide to visit Brest, you will not regret it. The best thing to do is to rent a car and explore Brest and its surroundings.

        Basic info and car hire in Brest

        • Location: Brittany region, France
        • Population: 139,602
        • Official language: French
        • Currency: Euro
        • Weather: Brest has an oceanic climate
        • Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
        • Road conditions:  Most roads in Brest are in good condition.
        • Car hire in Brest:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Brest is at Brest airport and Brest Railway Station. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Brest!

         Driving in Brest

        Driving in Brest is not very complicated, but be prepared for some traffic jams during peak season and rush hour. There may be increased traffic entering and leaving the port. It is still best to park your car in one of the many parking lots in the city and use public transportation to explore the city. Many parts of the old town are pedestrian-only, so you can not use a car there anyway. Brest has a well-developed network of bike rental companies. So if you do not like to explore the city on foot or by other public transport, which can be quite crowded at times, then you can rent a bike and enjoy the city while cycling from one part to another.

        • Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in France is 18 years.
        • International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
        • Additional papers:   Identification(passports for all people in the car), the car's registration certificate, and your M.O.T. certificate (for cars over three years old, proving the vehicle meets environmental and road safety standards), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to buy insurance at the car hire agency in case your policy doesn't cover you while driving in France)
        • Additional requirements:  High-visibility, reflective vest for every person in the car, Warning triangle, Full set of replacement bulbs for head and taillights, Spare pair of glasses, Headlight converters (required if driving from, "Crit'Air" badge (required in central Paris), Breathalyzer.
        • Children in the car:  Children under 13 must be in car seats or wearing seat belts appropriate for their age and height. Babies and infants about a year old or under should always be positioned in rear-facing car seats.
        • Driving side of the road: Right
        • Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
        • General speed limits: There is a variable maximum speed on French roads, depending on weather conditions. In dry weather, 2- or 3-lane rural roads are limited to 80 km/h, 4-lane expressways (in rural areas) are limited to 110 km/h, and motorways (in rural areas if classified as highways) are limited to 130 km/h. In rainy conditions, the limits are lowered to 80, 100, and 110 km/h respectively. The 50 km/h speed limit in cities is independent of weather conditions. The general speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h on all roads in fog or other poor visibility conditions when visibility is less than 50 meters.
        • Parking suggestions: In the city area, you must pay for all street parking from Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-8:00 pm, and you pay per hour. Parking is free on Sundays and holidays. Generally, you can park for up to 6 hours at a time if you do not have a resident's permit, and up to a week at a time with a permit.

        Car Hire in Brest

        Most popular car hire at Brest

        The most selected hire car in Brest is Ford Fiesta, with Renault Clio and Seat Ibiza also being a popular option. The most popular car types in Brest are mini, economy, and compact.

        Popular Driving Routes

        Popular One-Way car hire from Brest

        Want to rent a car for a one-way trip? No worries! Orbit Car Hire offers a variety of one-way Car Hire options in many locations outside of Brest. One-way car rental is ideal for cross-town or cross-country travel, saving time by not returning to your original location. Start your reservation with Orbit Car Hire and find great options on one-way car hire at locations across the France.

        • Brest-Quimper (71km with approximately 50 minutes of drive)

        • Brest-Concarneau (92km with approximately 1 hour of drive)

        • Brest-Lorient (13km with approximately 1,5 hours of drive)

        • Brest-Dinan (204km with approximately 2-2,5 hours of drive)

        What to see in Brest

        Océanopolis

        This largest cultural and scientific centre of its kind in Europe is a must-see when visiting Brest. It consists of three different areas: Polar, Temperate, and Tropical. You can admire over 10,000 plant species and more than a thousand animal species there. There are 50 different aquariums, each of which offers something special. You can see sharks, seals, stingrays, turtles...

         

        Port of Brest

        Brest has an ideal landscape for a perfectly protected port thanks to its geographical location. You can not see everything because the military part is closed to the public, so you can not see the infrastructure and the ships used by the French Navy. But you can enjoy yourself in a commercial port and have a great time. You can admire many different boats and ships. There are many old wooden ships to see in this port, but also some modern yachts. There are nice bars and restaurants in this port, so you can enjoy a meal here or just relax with a coffee or a glass of wine.

         

        Pont de l'Iroise

        The Pont de l'Iroise is one of the most popular destinations to take stunning photos in Brest. This monumental cable-stayed bridge spans the River Élorn between Pointe Sainte Barbe and Le Cap. From this bridge, you will have a fantastic view of the sunset and the sunrise.

         

        Tour Tanguy

        This medieval building now houses a museum about old Brest. The museum is worth seeing, as each floor is dedicated to a different period of the city's history. You can learn a lot about life in Brest and its surroundings in the different eras of the past. There are also some great old maps of the city so you can see how this area has developed over the last few hundred years.

        • Visit Brest

          Explore France 

          Drive your rental car beyond Brest

          Car rental in Brest is the best solution if you want to explore the surroundings of this interesting city. This part of France does offer many different sights and activities, so all you need to do is buckle up and drive safely. All the attractions here are accessible by car, and the roads are in good condition so you will enjoy yourself.

          This part of France is so diverse that you will find something for everyone. You have an endless coastline with stunning cliffs and some charming beaches as well as a colourful inland with lots of hills, forests and attractive towns, villages, and cities to visit. Many castles are open to tourists and are worth a visit, as each one offers a different perspective on life in this part of France.

          If you are driving through this area or want to start your road trip here in Brest, be sure to visit the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. This is a fairytale island community that will amaze you. Another must-see is Josselin Castle, which is known for its impressive towers and from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Dinan is another place you will not regret visiting. If you want to explore an amazing and unique coastline, then you should head to the Crozon Peninsula. The stones of Carnac are an impressive sight that will add a touch of mysticism to your trip.

          Other places worth visiting: Locronan, Saint-Malo, Île Milliau, Huelgoat forest, Finistère, Dinan old town, Quimper cathedral, Remparts de Vannes...

        • Explore Brest

          Enjoy the culture in Brest

          Where to eat, drink, and party in Brest

          Brest, like many other places in France, is a perfect destination for all foodies. Gastronomy is a part of the French identity and it is no wonder that some of the most famous world receipts come from this country. In Brest, you can enjoy some of the best seafood restaurants in the area. With truly fresh ingredients straight from the sea, the seafood here is something special. Of course, there are also a variety of menus for those who do not like seafood. You can enjoy many different traditional French dishes, but you can also visit some great restaurants with food from all over the world.

        Best restaurants in Brest:

        L'Embrun

        Les Maraichers

        Restaurant Le Lieu

        Creperie La Chaumine

        My Fish

        Ripailles

        My Booking

        What you need to know about renting a car

        faq
        What do I need to rent a car in France?

        credit card in the name of the main driver needs to be presented. A security deposit may be required while renting a car so the credit card must have sufficient funds. You can find details about the security deposit listed while booking the vehicle as well as on your voucher. It is important to have a valid driving license with the name of the main driver as well as additional drivers when it applies. An International Driving Permit is required in addition to a National Driving License if the National Driving License you or any of the Additional Drivers hold is not identifiable as a Driving License, eg, it is in a non-Latin alphabet (eg Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese). It can also depend on the country or car rental company you are renting with. If you have found a car on our website, you can press the rental terms link from the supplier for more information about driving license requirements. You will need to have identification with you such as a passport and ID cards. When you pick up your rental car you need to have your voucher with you.

        How old do I need to be to rent a car in France?

        The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old but drivers with this age can rent only Mini and Economy Car Categories. Renters aged 25 and older may rent all Car Categories. With some suppliers for people over 75 years of age. Young driver surcharges may apply to many car rental companies for people under 25 years of age.

        Do I need car insurance in France?

        Insurances are very important when renting a car and can be different between countries. When renting a car in France with Orbit Car Hire the prices will include mandatory insurances in the country.

        Do I need a credit card to rent a car in France?

        In most cases, a credit card is required to be presented in the name of the main driver. A security deposit may be required when renting a car so it is important to have sufficient funds on the credit card. When searching for a car at Orbit you can see credit card requirements from all our suppliers.

        Do I need an international driving license in France?

        Drivers license issued in France or within the European Union does not have to provide an international drivers license. For drivers with a license issued outside of the EU will need to have an international driving license as well as your standard driving license. You must have both licenses with you at all times while driving a car in France.

        How do I find the cheapest car hire in France?

        You can find cheap car hire by comparing prices with all major car rentals at Orbit. A good idea can be to book in advance as the prices can increase closer to the travel period. 

        What is the cheapest rental car in France?

        You will find the mini car category or economy cars to be the cheapest car categories. Vehicles such as Renault Twingo and Citroen C3 often provide the best prices. 

        What is the best car rental company in France?

        You may find excellent service provided by companies such as Europcar, Enterprise Rent a Car, Keddy by Europcar, Alamo Rent a Car, and GoldCar. 

        What types and makes of rental car deals can I find in France?

        You will find car types such as mini, economy, compact, Full-Size, and luxury cars. Popular rental cars are Citroen C3, Renault Twingo, Peugeot 308, Toyota Yaris. 

        Does my rental car have unlimited mileage when I book it for France?

        Most car rentals in France offer unlimited mileage in their offers. 

        How to hire a car in France?

        You can hire a car in France with Orbit Car Hire in simple steps. First, you define where you would like to pick up and return the car, enter dates and times and you can search for your cheap France car hire. 

        How much is it to rent a car in France?

        It will depend on where in France you would like to rent a car and at what period. The summer months can be more expensive than during the winter. You can find prices down to 12 GBP per day. 

        Can you rent an automatic car in France?

        Yes, you can find a wide range of automatic rental cars in France. The best way to find your automatic car hire in France is to filter the "Automatic" transmission when searching for your vehicle. 

        Can I rent a car in France?

        Yes, you can rent a car in France in simple steps with Orbit Car Hire. You just need to be over 21 years of age and have held the driving license for a minimum of one year (This can depend on the car hire companies)

        Car Hire Locations in Brest 2 location(s) found

        Find The Best Car Hire Companies In Brest

        • Alamo Car Hire
        • Car Hire with Keddy by Europcar
        • Enterprise Rent a Car
        • Europcar
        • GoldCar Rental
        • National