Carigami’s annual ranking of vehicle rental prices in French cities between June 1 and August 31 is out. After last year’s slight drop in prices following the post-Covid inflation, prices are now on the rise again. The average rate of 346 euros per week is expected to increase further. France is becoming more expensive than Italy, Portugal, Spain, or the United States.
If you travel to France this summer, you will have to consider one particular expense: car rental – not to mention the cost of fuel. The average price for a week’s rental of a vehicle (gasoline, hybrid, or electric, even though the rental fleet remains low in volume) between June 1 and August 31, 2026, increased by 1.5% compared to last year. It stands at 346 euros on average in France and Corsica. This is much higher than many of our neighbors, according to Carigami, which evaluated the prices of six international rental companies and 7 brokers. To reduce the bill, there are not many solutions. “Think outside the box!” advocates Pierre Feisthauer, Carigami’s development manager.
The advice is serious. “Since there is strong pressure on purchasing power, particularly due to the rise in fuel prices, vacationers are generally hesitant, but as summer approaches, rental car prices are likely to increase,” he says. “To manage your budget, it is better to book early, knowing that you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before, and especially look at less crowded but equally beautiful areas of France.”
Annecy is the most expensive this summer. Amiens has the most affordable prices: an average of 195 euros for a week’s rental between June 1 and August 31, compared to the national average of 346 euros, a slight increase of 1.5%.
Here are the top 10 most expensive cities: Annecy (485 euros), Cannes (450 euros), Biarritz (427 euros), Figari (410 euros), Avignon (404 euros), Aix-en-Provence (401 euros), Nantes (388 euros), Montpellier (386 euros), Calvi (381 euros), Arcachon (373 euros).
Northern French cities are traditionally among the cheapest, but this year, there are also several cities in the Southeast on the list, such as Fréjus (205 euros), Carcassonne (265 euros), Nîmes (273 euros), and Saint-Raphaël (281 euros). Prices vary depending on the destination in France.
“The fact that prices are rising again, plus the expected increase in flight tickets, discourages many. Especially since prices in other regions that can be alternatives, such as Sardinia and the Balearic Islands, are lower,” points out Pierre Feisthauer.
In Europe, it is cheaper to travel in Greece (191 euros), Croatia (221 euros), and especially Portugal (161 euros). Rental prices are also dropping in the United States and Canada, aiming to attract tourists.
Car rental is not the only aspect of vacation budgets; adjustments to activities and dining can aid in maintaining choice and staying in France. Keep in mind that this ranking does not provide a complete view as it primarily compares rental companies in city centers and near airports. For more affordable vehicle options, consider hypermarkets across the country or peer-to-peer car rental services like Getaround or Turo.
