Rent a car in Bordeaux with Europcar
Bordeaux can be found on the picturesque west coast of France just south of Nantes. With a reputation as ‘the sleeping beauty’ of France, Bordeaux has enjoyed a surge of tourism in recent years. With a fantastic reputation for great food and wine, a laid-back biking culture, great architecture and beaches less than an hour away, it is no surprise!
Whether visiting for a few days, a week or longer, our hire cars will help you maximise your visit to Bordeaux.
The Europcar car rental experience in Bordeaux
Bordeaux has three well positioned stations in Bordeaux. If you are arriving by train from Paris, there is a pick-up point for both car and van hire located at the Saint Jean railway station. For those flying into Bordeaux Merignac Airport, pick up your rental from the airport station and be on your way in no time.
Our smaller car rentals include popular models such as the Peugeot 308 and Fiat 500; or if you need something family-sized, choose the Volkswagen Tiguan or Audi A4.
Economy and luxury car hire is available for short and long-term rental periods for maximum flexibility.
Driving in Bordeaux
To rent a car in France with Europcar, you will need a valid EU driver’s licence.
In France, the national speed limits are 130 km/h on motorways, 110 km/h on dual carriageways, 90 km/h on other road types, and 50 km/h in built up areas.
Motorway speed limits are reduced by 10 km/h on all road types in wet conditions. When visibility is reduced to less than 50 metres, the speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h on all road types.
Parking in Bordeaux is limited and is prohibited in the city centre. Many drivers choose to park in large multi-storey car parks on the edge of the city and take a tram in. Otherwise, there are two parking zones, where you can park from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 7pm for up to two hours. Payment is via cash, credit/debit card or smartphone app.
In France, texting or talking on a mobile phone while driving is illegal.
Discover Bordeaux and the surrounding area by car
Bordeaux is renowned as one of France’s greatest wine regions, but it has a lot more to offer than just grapes. Be sure to visit the ‘water mirror', a huge granite square that is showered with water to reflect the Palais de la Bourse which surrounds it; Europe’s longest shopping street, the Rue Saint Catherine; and the Grosse Cloche, a huge bell that forms part of the town hall.
Looking to go on a road trip? The routes around the Bordeaux region are some of the most beautiful in France. You will find stunning beaches and scenic countryside, including Lège-Cap-Ferret just over an hour away, and the Landes de Gascogne Natural Park, just over half an hour by car.
Travelling a little further, you can visit Bergerac (119 kilometres away), La Rochelle (190 kilometres away) and Toulouse (246 kilometres away).
Hailed as the Disneyland for adults, the Cité du Vin is a ground-breaking piece of contemporary design and wine education. Sat on the banks of the River Garonne, this interactive museum has 20 separate sections tracing all things grape, from vine cultivation to wine trends. There are also workshops aimed at both adults and children, a suitable outing for the whole family. The Cité du Vin is a 15-minute drive from Bordeaux city centre - but remember to hold off on the wine if you are driving there!
Other things to see in Bordeaux
Often described as a mini Paris, Bordeaux has sizeable monuments, impressive art galleries, and scenic green spaces there are lots of options for sightseeing in and around the city. With your Europcar rental, you can travel further afield and tour some of the famous vineyards such as Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, visit the Bordeaux-Pessac Zoo or soak up the sun on one of the many local beaches.
We are proud to be European leaders in car rental. To find out more about the Europcar car hire experience, be sure to visit our car rental page!
