Car Hire in Mulhouse

About Mulhouse

Mulhouse is located near the borders of Switzerland and Germany and is a sub-prefecture of the Haut-Rhin department in the Grand Est region of eastern France. It is part of the Alsace region and its second-largest city after Strasbourg. The Ill River flows through the city and it is surrounded by the Vosges Mountains and the Jura Mountains. The Swiss city of Basel is only 35 kilometres away from Mulhouse, which makes the city's location even more interesting as it is connected to the other countries and major cities there.

This interesting industrial city is best known for its amazing museums and rich industrial past, which you can discover in one of the many museums in the city. It is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations for all lovers of different means of transport. Two museums deserve special mention: the Automobile Museum and the Railway Museum. In these large and high-quality museums, you will learn everything you need to know about the evolution of vehicles throughout history, as well as everything you need to know about the railway, the train and the transport system in France and beyond.

The city has a very strong tradition in the textile industry, in addition to the well-developed car industry. Nowadays, Mulhouse is developing in many fields, becoming a very important university town, a centre of plastics and electronics industries...

But of course, Mulhouse is not only about the industry. Besides factories and industrial museums, there are many other things to see. There is a lot of street art to admire all over the city. You can also admire the great architecture and enjoy delicious food that will not disappoint you.

The influence of Swiss and German culture can be felt throughout the city, but of course, French culture is prevalent here and you will notice this in the many French restaurants in the city and also in your interactions with the locals, who are proudly French and will generously welcome you into their city.

So if you are taking a road trip through France and you are a car enthusiast, then you should stop off in Mulhouse. Also, if you are travelling by car through Germany or Switzerland and want to visit one of the French cities, Mulhouse is the perfect place for you. Here you can park your car and enjoy this charming French city.

Basic info and car hire in Mulhouse

• Location: Grand Est Region, France
• Population: 108,942
• Official language: French
• Currency: Euro
• Weather:   Mulhouse has a temperate oceanic climate
• Holidays in Mulhouse:   For public holidays in Mulhouse follow this link
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Mulhouse are in good condition.
• Car hire in Mulhouse:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Mulhouse is at Mulhouse Basel airport and Mulhouse 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 Mulhouse!

 Driving in Mulhouse

Driving in Mulhouse has a special charm. Mainly because everything in this city has to do with cars and driving. So if you are taking a road trip through France and you like the car industry, then you should stop here. The roads here are in perfect condition and the traffic is not as heavy as in some bigger cities in France. These are the main reasons why you will enjoy driving on the roads of this unique city. It is good to know that there are many things to see outside of the city center that is also accessible by car. So, when you are in Mulhouse, make a good plan of what you want to see outside the city, because there are many interesting sights around Mulhouse, and you need to adjust your schedule to the time you have available for this stop.

One very important thing for driving enthusiasts here in Mulhouse is the driving courses for Ferrari owners. There are some great courses where you can learn a lot about how your car reacts to different surfaces, traffic situations, and most importantly how to react in tricky situations while driving. For the more experienced, there is also the option of racing Ferraris, but for that, you should check out the websites of the local Ferrari dealers here in France.

• 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.

What to see in Mulhouse

Cité de l'Automobile

This is the largest automobile museum in the world. There are more than 400 cars on display in this museum and you can learn all about the evolution of the automobile from its beginnings to today. The museum is divided into different sections, each dedicated to a specific area of the car industry. A large section is dedicated to racing cars, there is also an area for classic cars, safety cars, etc. So for every car lover, this museum is a must-visit once in a lifetime.

Cité du Train

Not far from the Cité de l'Automobile is another museum dedicated to transportation. The Cité du Train is the largest railway museum in the world. For all enthusiasts who admire trains and the evolution of trains and railways, this is the perfect place to visit. There are different sections of the museum dedicated to different areas of the railway industry. You can learn all about the evolution of trains from the beginning until today, then there is a part dedicated to the golden era of railway transport and finally, a part that is the railway panorama.

L'entrepot

This unique theatre is a popular destination for locals and tourists who love art. The building of this theatre is covered with ivy, which gives it a very special look that you will love. Inside the building, there is a special atmosphere and ambiance for artists and spectators. The theatre is designed in such a way that the audience interacts closely with the artists on stage. There is also a very popular bar and restaurant in this theatre where the audience can sit with the artists and talk about shows, art, etc.

Musée de l'Impression sur Etoffes de Mulhouse

Another museum that tells about the rich industrial history of Mulhouse. The museum is dedicated to the printing industry. You can explore the printing machines, techniques, and materials from the early days to the present day. You can observe the different printing processes on different materials throughout history here, so you can understand the evolution of this industry throughout history.

Historical Museum of Mulhouse

This museum is located in one of Mulhouse's most popular historic buildings. This 16th century Renaissance building, which used to serve as the town hall, now houses an impressive collection of objects and artwork from prehistoric times to the present day. There are some great pieces from the past on display here, giving you further insight into the past of this interesting city. It is worth a visit!

Best restaurants in Mulhouse:

Petit Marcel La Rotisserie

Chez Auguste

Mealtin Potes

Le Bistrot a Huitres

Le Rustique