Car Hire in Perpignan
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        About Perpignan

        Perpignan is the capital of the Pyrénées-Orientales department in the Occitanie region of southern France. The city has a rich history with many turbulent times in the past, but also many prosperous eras. This mixture of turbulence and growth has resulted in a vibrant city with a promising future, both economically and in terms of tourism. The city's population is multicultural, as Perpignan was a refugee city in the 20th century for refugees from the Spanish Civil War and also for emigrants from North Africa.

        The river Têt flows through the city, but a great influence on the climate, culture, and economy of the city is also the Mediterranean Sea, which is only 30 kilometers from the city, and another geographical feature is the Pyrenees, which are also only a few kilometers away.

        Perpignan is an important port from where mainly wine, fruits, and vegetables are exported which are a trademark of the land around the city. Perpignan and its surrounding areas are known for their fertile land, so many people here grow their vegetables and fruit and of course, produce excellent French wine.

        Besides well-developed agriculture and industry, the city has plenty to offer architecture, history, and art lovers. You can visit some fabulous museums here and also admire some great architectural remains from the diverse past of this charming little town.

        There is also a rich cultural program in the city throughout the year. At the end of April, usually around the 23rd, the Festival de Sant Jordi takes place and during this festival, the whole town becomes an open-air bookshop. There are many stalls with books and other products all over the city. This festival is held here continuously since the 15th century and is special. If you are in Perpignan at the end of April, you should visit this festival, you will not regret it!

        Basic info and car hire in Perpignan

        • Location:  Southern France
        • Population: 119,188
        • Official language: Catalan, French
        • Currency: Euro
        • Weather:   Perpignan has a typical Mediterranean climate
        • Holidays in Perpignan:   For public holidays in Perpignan follow this link
        • Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
        • Road conditions:  Most roads in Perpignan are in good condition.
        • Car hire in Perpignan:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Perpignan is at Perpignan airport and Perpignan 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 Perpignan!

         Driving in Perpignan

        The growth of the city of Perpignan in the last decade, both economically and in terms of tourism, has had a major impact on traffic in the city. But since the renovation of the railway lines and the construction of another line to and from the port, the situation here has improved considerably. There are still some traffic jams, especially during rush hour and high season, but all in all, driving here is not as stressful as in bigger cities like Paris, Lyon, Lille or Marseille.

        There are some pedestrianized areas in the city center, so you will need to follow the signs on the road to avoid these areas as you drive around the city. There are also many one-way streets in the old town, which also requires extra caution. In general, you just need to follow the rules and obey the speed limits and you will not have much trouble driving in Perpignan.

        You will especially enjoy driving outside the city, as the roads are in really good condition and the views are stunning. So, a drive from Perpignan to other places around the city is a real treat for any driver who loves well-maintained roads and the beautiful scenery around them. So if you are planning a road trip through the south of France or perhaps the whole of France and you start your journey here in Perpignan, buckle up and drive safely.

        • 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 Perpignan

        Most popular car hire at Perpignan

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

        Popular Driving Routes

        Popular One-Way car hire from Perpignan

        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 Perpignan. 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.

        • Perpignan-Evol (63km with approximatelly 1 hour of drive)

        • Perpignan-Mosset (54km with approximatelly 50 minutes of drive)

        • Perpignan-Castelnou (20km with approximatelly 30 minutes of drive)

        • Perpignan-Figueres (60km with approximatelly 50 minutes of drive)

        What to see in Perpignan

        Le Castillet

        This former prison is now one of the most interesting tourist attractions in the city. There are many mystical tunnels and so many chambers to discover in the building that you just need to bring comfortable shoes to explore this historical jewel of Perpignan. Every first Sunday of the month, the entrance to the museum inside the building is free.

        Palais des Rois de Majorque

        This interesting and unique building was built in the 14th century when Perpignan was the capital of the Kingdom of Mallorca. Today it hosts many concerts, exhibitions, and other cultural events. You can also take a guided tour of this architectural masterpiece and learn more about the history of the area. 

        Théâtre de l'Archipelago

        This modern theatre was built in 2011 and represents the fresh and young spirit of the city. It is a true architectural masterpiece and you should visit this theatre both from inside and outside. This theatre hosts many first-class performances and if you have time, you should go and see a play in the evening, you will not regret it.

         Visit Perpignan

        • Explore France 

          Drive your rental car beyond Perpignan

          If you are passing through the south of France and want to discover the secrets and charming places of this beautiful region, be sure to stop at Paplignon. This is a very popular destination among people who are taking a road trip through France. You will get nothing but positive feedback from all the travelers who have stopped in this charming little town. But of course, when you come here, you should not only explore the town of Perpignan, but also the area around it. There are so many things to do and see here that you will be speechless. Make a good plan according to your preferences and then you can experience an extraordinary trip through the South of France.

          Evol, for example, is a small village with a particularly tranquil atmosphere and a nice old town with small streets to explore and great medieval architecture to visit. Another place that is probably a little more touristy than Evol is Villefranche-de-Conflent. This pretty town also has plenty to offer any history or culinary lover who passes through. You can easily fall in love with the small village of Mosset. It is one of the most beautiful villages in the south of France and you should come here and experience it. There is something special about it. Eus is one of the best-preserved medieval towns here and when you enter it, you will feel like you have traveled back in time. Castelnou is a mysterious village full of rocks that have a special shape, which gives this village even more mystique. When you come here, it is really hard to leave because you will fall in love with this place and you just will not want to leave until you have fully discovered the village.

          For active holidaymakers, there is plenty to do in the Pyrenees. You can go climbing, hiking, cycling, horse riding... it's up to you what kind of vacation you prefer, but here in the south of France, every taste will be satisfied because the country is so colorful and offers so many different activities that you definitely will not get bored.

        • Explore Perpignan

          Enjoy the culture in Perpignan

          Where to eat, drink, and party in Perpignan

          France is one of the most popular destinations for all culinary lovers. It is well known that food here in this country holds a special place in the daily life of most people. And it is no different in Perpignan. You can taste the influence of Spain, especially Catalan cuisine, which has greatly influenced Perpignan's gastronomy. So, it is not surprising that besides very good restaurants serving seafood and other very good restaurants serving continental French cuisine and food from all over the world, you can also enjoy some tapas-like snacks in the bars of the city.

          The main ingredients here are vegetables and fruits, as there is very fertile land around the city and many producers supply the restaurants with local ingredients. This makes the cuisine here even tastier.

          You can also enjoy some great wines here, as Perpignan is known for its great culture of making quality wines. If you are hungry and thirsty, you will get everything you need in this city, so enjoy and bonne apetit!

        Best restaurants Perpignan:

        O Grain de Sel

        L'Hibiscus

        Les Antiquaires

        La Berbere

        Restaurant l'Atelier de Jean-Paul

        Restaurant L'AbSix

        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 Perpignan 2 location(s) found

        Find The Best Car Hire Companies In Perpignan

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