Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ADA
( 08 25 16 91 69;
www.ada.fr
)
Auto Europe
( 1 888 223 5555, from France 800 223 55 555;
www.autoeurope.com
)
US-based online hire company.
Avis
( 08 20 05 05 05;
www.avis.com
)
Budget
( 08 25 00 35 64;
www.budget.com
)
Easycar
( in France 08 26 10 73 23, in the UK 08710 500 444;
www.easycar.com
)
Europcar
( 08 25 35 83 58;
www.europcar.com
)
Hertz
( 08 25 09 13 13;
www.hertz.com
)
Holiday Autos
( 0871 472 5229;
www.holidayautos.co.uk
)
UK-based online hire com-
pany.
National-Citer
( 08 25 16 12 20;
www.citer.fr
)
Purchase-Repurchase Plans
If you live outside the EU and will be in France (or Europe) from one to six months (up to
one year, if studying), by far the cheapest option is to 'purchase' a brand-new car, then
'sell' it back - called
achat-rachat
. You only pay for the time it's in your possession, but
the 'temporary transit' (TT) paperwork makes the car legally yours - and it's exempt from
huge taxes. Such cars carry red licence plates, instantly identifying drivers as foreigners.
Eligibility is restricted to non-EU residents (EU citizens are eligible only if they reside
outside the EU); minimum age 18 (sometimes 21). You must order at minimum six weeks
ahead and prepay your balance before the factory builds your car - and you get to pick the
model. Diesel vehicles are more expensive up front, but you pay less for fuel. All plans in-
clude unlimited kilometres, 24-hour towing and breakdown service, and comprehensive
insurance with zero deductible/excess. Brilliant.
Companies offering
achat-rachat
:
Citroën
(EurocarTT, DriveEurope or EuroPass;
www.eurocartt.com
)
,
Peugeot
(Open Europe;
www.peugeot-openeurope.com
)
and
Renault
(Eurodrive;
www.renault-eurodrive.com
)
Insurance
Car-hire companies provide mandatory third-party (liability) insurance, but other import-
ant insurances cost extra, including collision-damage waiver (CDW,
assurance tous
risque
), which covers the cost of the vehicle in the event of an accident or theft.
