Car Hire in Strasbourg

About Strasbourg

Strasbourg is the prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est region in eastern France. The city is located on the border with Germany in the historic region of Alsace and is the prefecture of the Bas-Rhin department. Strasbourg is best known as the official seat of the European Parliament. But apart from that, the city has a very rich and long history and there are many things to see and do in this wonderful French gem.

Strasbourg has been divided into two parts thanks to the Ill River that crosses the city. Grand Île represents the old town and here you will find many historic buildings that are well worth a visit. One of the most famous buildings is perhaps Strasbourg's Notre-Dame Cathedral. But there is much more to see and do in this fabulous old town, which by the way is protected by UNESCO. You will enjoy exploring the network of narrow streets with medieval houses and small squares. You will simply fall in love with this part of the city.

On the other side is the more modern part of the city. There is a lot of industry here and the large river port also plays an important role in the financial success of the city. Strasbourg is now one of the most important financial, business, and commercial centers in France. Certainly also thanks to the many European institutions that have their headquarters here, such as The European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights.

Many would say that Strasbourg is a little France or the Petit France, as one of the old quarters here is called. You can find almost everything in Strasbourg that you can find in other parts of France. There is so much culture in this small city that you can not help but feel and live the spirit of this city. So if you are taking a road trip through France, you should visit Strasbourg. You will not regret it. With its great museums, theatres, galleries, restaurants, shopping, recreational areas, historic buildings and much more, it is an absolute must to visit this city!

Basic info and car hire in Strasbourg

• Location: Alsace, eastern France
• Population: 284,677
• Official language: French
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Strasbourg has an oceanic climate
• Holidays in Strasbourg:   For public holidays in France follow this link
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Strasbourg are in good condition.
• Car hire in Strasbourg:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Strasbourg is at Strasbourg airport and Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg!

 Driving in Strasbourg

Traffic in Strasbourg can be quite heavy at times, especially during rush hour. Public transport works very well, so you can leave your car in one of the many car parks in the city and explore Strasbourg on foot, using a bicycle or other public transport. The old town is a pedestrian-only area, so you'll have to explore it on foot anyway.

The city council has decided that there should be strict measures regarding emissions in the city, so they have come up with a plan that will be implemented from 2022. Strasbourg will establish an environmental zone covering Strasbourg and its motorway network:

January 1, 2022, only vehicles with a Crit'Air sticker 4 allowed, this will be enforced from 2023

January 1, 2023, only vehicles with a Crit'Air sticker 3 and better allowed, this will be enforced from 2025

January 1, 2024, only vehicles with a Crit'Air sticker 2 and better allowed, this will be enforced from 2027

January 1, 2025, only vehicles with a Crit'Air sticker 1 and better allowed, this will be enforced from 2028

So you will sometimes need a bit more time to get from one place to another in the city by car, but once you leave the city you can explore Alsace on many fantastic roads. Many mountain villages are located near these scenic roads. The views as you drive will leave you speechless. The roads are also in good condition, so all you have to do is 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.

What to see in Strasbourg

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame

The construction of this Gothic cathedral began at the beginning of the 11th century. The present look is the result of numerous renovations and restorations that have been carried out on this cathedral during its existence. The cathedral has suffered so many destructions and attacks that it is a miracle that it still stands in this place in the old town of Strasbourg. The facade of this architectural masterpiece deserves special mention. The facade of this cathedral consists of hundreds of small statues that form an impressive relief.

Parc de l'Orangerie

In the northeast of the city, opposite the European Parliament, is the oldest park in the city. The park was named after the 140 orange trees planted here during the French Revolution when they were taken from the Chateau de Bouxwiller. There are only three of these orange trees left in this park. There is also a zoo, a small lake and many other attractions in this park. If you are in Strasbourg, you should visit the Parc de l'Orangerie.

Musée Alsacien

Thanks to its location, Alsace has a very turbulent history full of conflicts and border shifts. All these events that have taken place here in the past have left their mark on the people of this region. If you want to learn more about the history of Alsace and the way people lived here, you should visit the Musée Alsacien. 

Museum of modern and contemporary art

This great museum offers a high-quality collection of works by artists such as Monet, Picasso, Kandinsky, and Brauner. But it also pays special attention to new and emerging artists, so you can see the works of great artists from the past to works of today's artists from all over the world.

Best restaurants in Strasbourg:

Les Plaisirs Gourmands

Dans Le Noir ? Strasbourg

Les chauvins Pere et Fils

Pizz'arOme.

Elite Steak House

Le Jasmin