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Car hire in Perpignan – Exploring the South of France
Located at the southernmost point in France, Perpignan is a thriving tourist destination that's conveniently located in very close proximity to the Spanish border. Nestling a short drive from the idyllic Mediterranean shoreline, with many wonderful beaches just a few kilometres away by car, visitors can mix all the amazing cultural experiences to be found in one of the country's most historic cities with a series of enjoyable day-trip excursions, both along the coast and into the south of France's beautiful interior.
Perpignan is an extraordinarily scenic place. From the heart of the city centre, travellers can marvel at the spectacle of the Pyrenees mountain range a short distance away, the foothills of which harbour many little towns and villages that are well worth a visit for lunch or dinner. The city couldn't be more accessible either, and besides having its own airport with regular flights to the UK and other key countries in Europe, it is on the mainline TGV route between Barcelona and Paris.
Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring Perpignan. Its historic centre, the Vieille Ville, is a delightful labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets and alleways that contain many top tourist sights, most notably the ancient Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste (home to many rare religious treasures) and the Castillet, Perpignan's most iconic monument. Other must-see attractions include the Palace of the Kings of Majorca overlooking the city and Musee Rigaud, one of the best museums in the south of France.
With a car hire in Perpignan you'll be able to maximise your time in the city and explore the surrounding areas in total comfort and at your own pace. There's a good selection of wide sandy beaches just a ten-minute drive away from the city centre, plus there's the thrill of heading up into the Pyrenees for breathtaking views of long stretches of the glorious Mediterranean coastline. You'll also have the chance to pop over the border for tapas and a taste of northern Spain, passing through the lovely Languedoc region en route.
When you book a cheap car rental in Perpignan with Auto Europe you are guaranteed the widest choice of vehicles at the lowest rates. The fact that we work with all the world’s most prestigious suppliers means that we can always find you the right car for your visit to the south of France at any time of the year. Book online now or ask our rental specialists for assistance and they will be happy to find you the best deal. Please also take a look at the user ratings and comments posted by previous Auto Europe customers in the city on our Perpignan car hire reviews page.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Perpignan, click on the car hire related topics listed below:
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Where to pick up a car hire in Perpignan
Because Auto Europe is partnered by all the world's top car hire companies, we can offer you the best choice of pick-up locations in Perpignan and elsehwre in the south of France. In Perpignan you can collect your vehicle at the airport or in the heart of the city centre, including the city's conveniently-located train station. When you search for a low-cost car rental in Perpignan, we can help you make the right choice through the interactive map that appears with all the available car hire locations.
Perpignan Airport
Sometimes known as Llabanère Airport, as well as Aéroport de Perpignan-Sud de France, Perpignan Airport is a mid-sized international airport located midway between the southern French cities of Perpignan and Rivesaltes, both communes of the Pyrénées-Orientales Department in the Occitanie region. Despite its relatively small size, travellers have a wide range of on-site facilities available, with parking close to the terminal building. The car hire welcome desks are situated just after baggage-collection in the main Arrivals area, with no shuttle required to collect the vehicle.
Perpignan Airport (PGF)
Website: aeroport-perpignan.com
Address: Avenue Maurice Bellonte, 66000 Perpignan, France
Telephone: +33 4 68 526070
Perpignan Train Station
Located near the city centre, Perpignan Train Station is an important transport hub in the heart of the south of France and is on the main line for high-speed TGV services from Paris, Nîmes, Montpellier, Béziers, Perpignan and Barcelona, as well as local routes from (TER Occitanie) from Portbou, Cerbère, Perpignan, Narbonne and Toulouse. Opened in 1858, the station building itself is closely associated with the famous artist, Salvador Dalí, who decorated part of the interior.
Perpignan Train Station
Website: garesetconnexions.sncf
Address: 1 Place Salvador Dalí, 66000 Perpignan, France
Telephone: +33 4 68 35 29 02
Book with the best car hire suppliers in Perpignan
Auto Europe is a leading international car hire company currently offering a vast selection of convenient pick-up and drop-off locations in 190 different destinations around the world. Thanks to our many years of experience dealing with all the global and local car rental companies, we can offer you the best standard of service and cheapest prices on the market.
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Should you require additional information about the car hire companies we work with or their policies, for example out of office pick up or questions regarding age restrictions, our car rental specialists are just a phone call or e-mail away and happy to assist you.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Perpignan
This section features the most frequent questions asked by people booking a car hire in Perpignan. Scroll down for important tips relating to a wide range of essential car hire topics, such as credit cards, coverage, tolls, traffic and much more. If you need any more information, please contact our reservations team for assistance and they will be happy to help you with your reservation and assist you with your travel itinerary.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Perpignan?
Yes. It's important to be aware that the vast majority of drivers will be required to present a valid credit card (not a pre-paid card or cash) when they rent a car in Perpignan. This is because the local vehicle supplier will need to block an amount on it as a security bond in case something happens on the road. If no damage is reported (as is normally the case), then the amount is promptly released back to the card. Please note that a second credit card (also in the name of the main driver) might be required for vehicles in the Luxury category.
It's very easy to check which type of credit card will be accepted when you arrive to pick up your cheap car hire in Perpignan. After making a quick search in the Auto Europe booking engine, all you need to do is click on the blue and white info icon (i) to find all the necessary payment information. For more tips on paying for your car hire in France, please consult our credit cards and deposit blog post on the subject. More information can be found on our related blog post where you can learn about the six most important things to know about credit cards and deposits prior to your trip.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Perpignan?
The first thing to take into account when booking a car rental in Perpignan is the fact that all Auto Europe's prices include collision damage waiver (CDW), fire insurance, theft protection and liability. Nevertheless, for added peace of mind it's always worth spending a little more on our popular Full Damage & Theft Protection policy which covers damage to parts of the car not included in the basic rate, such as the vehicle's glass, wheels, roof, undercarriage, etc. (please note that the price of this package may vary according to the location, rental duration, car category and supplier). It's worth remembering that should you purchase coverage from the car rental company at the time of picking up your vehicle, Auto Europe will not be able to refund the money for this kind of locally-bought car hire insurance, even if the policy proves to be surplus to your requirements at the end of the rental period
As with the credit card information, it’s very easy to find out exactly what's included in the price when making your reservation simply by clicking on the blue and white info icon (i) after making a quick search using our state-of-the-art booking engine. Car hire coverage can sometimes be a complex issue for the less experienced traveller, so please consult our dedicated car hire coverage blog post, as well as our car hire insurance article published as part of our popular Complete Guide to Car Hire series.
How is the traffic in Perpignan?
The A9 motorway crosses through Perpignan and connects it with Girona in Spain and Montpellier to the north. All motorways in France are paid roads and are well maintained. Travelling by car rental in France gives you the freedom to go as you please. General traffic rules include driving on the right-hand side of the road, having a breathalyzer on board, and the blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, which is lower than the one in the UK. For more detailed road regulations visit our France driving guide.
Where can I park my car hire in Perpignan?
For on-street parking, always read the signposted information to avoid running the risk of paying hefty fines. Parking tickets can be collected from the parking meters and in the city centre, there are also paid underground car parks with CCTV in operation. Try Clémenceau car park next to the bus station and just a few steps from the Castillet, Archipelago theatre and Galeries Lafayette. From here, you can also reach the cathedral and Rigaud Museum, two of the city-s top tourist attractions. With more than 500 spaces available, Perpignan Airport is close to the city and offers a car park with plenty of spaces as well as parking spaces reserved for drivers of reduced mobility. Sitauted close to the main terminal building, it allows you to park and collect your car quickly and easily. plus it is patrolled and the first 15 minutes of parking are free.
Do I need to pay tolls when driving my car hire in Perpignan?
Yes, there are some toll roads in the Perpignan area. The autoroutes of France are a series of motorways that consist of a number of toll roads that are often signalled by a blue and white sign indicating a two/laned road and a bridge with the phrase ‘Peage’, so when you see the autoroute peage sign, it means that you are on or about to join a tolled motorway (a blue sign with the letter 'A' before a number indicates which motorway you are on). Drivers must take a ticket at the toll booth before joining the motorway and pay the required amount when exiting based on the distance travelled. You can click here for more information on how to calculate the cost before starting your journey. Methods of payment include cash (always best to carry some with you and head for the toll booths marked with green arrows), Mastercard or Visa. Please note that no cash is accepted at toll gates marked with the logos of these credit cards. Alternatively, a growing number of visitors to France are opting to use the Télépéage Liber-t system which uses a transponder that allows drivers to travel on the entire French motorway network and pass through the toll gates marked T without ever needing to stop. Before collecting your vehicle, be sure toask your car hire supplier for payment details if you are planning to use the autoroutes.
Can I drive my car hire in Perpignan into Spain?
Yes. All the suppliers of low-cost car hire in Perpignan collaborating with Auto Europe will allow you to travel to and from Spain during your rental period. However, in order to do so you must register your intention to drive the car to Spain at the time of making the booking. Please also note that a cross-border fee will most likely be applicable and will need to be paid directly to the supplier at the time of collecting the vehicle.
Perpignan Travel Guide
Perpignan is a burgeoning tourist destination and one of France's upcoming must-visit cities. A centre for art and fine cuisine, it has many important sights, such as the iconic Castillet, a 14th-century fortified tower that was once the main entrance gate into the medieval walled town.
Best day trips with my car rental in Perpignan
Situated about thirty kilometres from the Spanish border, the city is the perfect base from which to explore the local area for visitors who choose to rent a car in Perpignan. Located in the centre of the Roussillon plain, a short drive from Canet-en-Roussillon and the Mediterranean Sea, the options for a relaxing day trip are endless, both on the coast and into the charming interior of southern France. Drivers can easily further extend their journeys with by taking advantage of Auto Europe's regular Free Additional Driver offers and one-way car hire promotions.
Canet en Roussillon
Less than 15 minutes away by car from the centre of Perpignan, the beach resort of Canet en Roussillon is a magnet for bathers and water sports enthusiasts throughout the warm summer. Scenically located in the foothills of the Pyrénées, it also has a medieval castle, old church, historic centre and a long sea front with many al fresco restaurants to enjoy.
Vineyards
Close to Perpignan lies the popular Roussillon wine region of southern France. A paradise for wine-tasting, including whites, rosés and full-bodied reds, it is also famous for its fortified sweet wine known as vins doux naturels. Situated between the sea and the mountains on the road between Perpignan and the Mediterranean coast, the Domaine Lafage estate produced some of the region's best wines and is very well versed in receiving passing tourists.
Carcassonne
A 90-minute drive from Perpignan, this picture-book hilltop town in southern France’s Languedoc area is mostly famous for its enchantig medieval citadel (La Cité), one of the most iconic in Europe. Visitors can walk along its double-walled fortifications and enjoy head-sinning views from its numerous watchtowers. Other important sights in Carcassonne include The Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, Carcassonne Cathedral and the Church of St. Vincent.
Montpellier
The 3rd-largest French city on the Mediterranean (after Nice and Marseille) and the 7th-largest in the whole of France, Montpellier is an ancient city with a wealth of top tourist attractions, most notably the Musée Fabre, a superb art museum with an exceptional collection of European sculptures and paintings from the medieval era to the contemporary period. Most visitors gravitate towards the Place de la Comédie, the city's central square where many of the best cafés and eateries can be found.
What to do in Perpignan
Located a few kilometres away from the coast, Perpignan is a sun-soaked Mediterranean city with many characteristic red-tile roofed buildings and streets lined with palm trees. Its distinctly Spanish influence is largely because of its close proximity to the Pyrenees Mountains that border Spain's Catalonia region a short drive away.
- Old Town: One of the main highlights when visiting Perpignan is the chance to walk through its historic centre, which is known locally as the Vieille Ville. In the old town you will find the 16th-century Hotel de Ville (City Hall) and the 15th-century Palais de la Deputation where the Count of Aragon once convened the Roussillon parliament. Close by stands Le Castillet, a red brick tower that was once the main gate of Perpignan's original town walls (don't miss the wonderful view over the city from its roof-top terrace).
- Cathedral: Situated in the heart of the city centre, Perpignan's ancient cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste) was built between the 14th and 18th centuries. Crowned with a wrought-iron bell tower, it boasts many interesting features in its magnificent interior, such as a 17th-century marble altarpiece and a 14th-century woodcarving of Christ. Adjacent to the cathedral stands Campo Santo, France’s largest and oldest cloistered cemetery known as La Funeraria.
- Palace of the Kings of Majorca: Overlooking Perpignan from its lofty location on top of Puig del Rey Hill on the southern side of the city, the impressive Palace of the Kings of Majorca is a fortified Gothic-style building set around three peaceful courtyards. Oozing with regal splendour, the palace is open for guided visits, plus in the summer months the courtyard comes to life with events of all kinds, while part of the complex becomes an exhibition area for artists and designers.
- Musee Rigaud: Housed in a lovely 17th-century palace, Musee Rigaud comprises a fine art collection in the original workshop of Jacint Rigau-Ros i Serra (aka Hyacinthe Rigaud), a favourite of the court of Louis XIV. His studio was later usef by a range of famous artists such as Cocteau, Picasso, Maillol and Dufy. A welcome oasis on a hot summer's day, the museum's shady garden is the perfect spot for a picnic or a relaxing break from all the city sightseeing.
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