| Paris is one of the most popular holiday | | | | The Palace of Versailles was originally constructed |
| destinations in Europe and is the perfect place for | | | | in 1623 as a hunting lodge for Louis XII of France, |
| anyone looking for a city break. The city has | | | | but was expanded during the mid to late |
| many tourist attractions, including the Eiffel | | | | seventeenth century during the reign of Louis |
| Tower, the Louvre, the Basilique du Sacré | | | | XIV, the Sun King. It eventually became the |
| Coeur, the Arc de Triomphe, the | | | | official residence of the Court of France in 1682. |
| Champs-Elysées and the Cathedral of | | | | It is still one of France’s national palaces. |
| Notre-Dame. | | | | The site is vast and the palace is set within |
| However, if you hire a car whilst you are in Paris, | | | | beautiful grounds, so there is plenty to explore. |
| you can take a break from the city and explore | | | | Highlights include the Grand Apartment, the Hall of |
| some of the great locations just outside of the | | | | Mirrors, the Chapel Royal, the Opera and the |
| city. | | | | opulent Queen’s Bedchamber (once used by |
| Here are just some of the attractions that you | | | | Marie Antoinette). The gardens feature fountains, |
| can visit in your Paris hire car: | | | | arbours, statues, groves and ornamental pools. |
| Mont-Saint-Michel | | | | It will take you about half an hour to drive to |
| Mont-Saint-Michel is a small, rocky island off the | | | | Versailles from Paris in your hire car. |
| coast of Normandy and is home to the beautiful | | | | Fontainebleau |
| Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel (Mont-Saint-Michel | | | | Fontainebleau is a popular tourist destination which |
| Abbey). It is accessible from the mainland via a | | | | is located about 35 miles from Paris, on the edge |
| causeway. The Romanesque monastery and | | | | of the Fontainebleau Forest. One of its main |
| church were built during the 11th century, although | | | | attractions is its castle, which consists of the |
| the first shrine, dedicated to St. Michael, was | | | | Palais de Fontainebleau (Fontainebleau Palace) |
| constructed on the island in 708. | | | | together with courtyards, parks and gardens. |
| You can take a tour of the abbey and visit the | | | | Dating back to the Middle Ages, the palace was |
| island’s museums, which include a maritime | | | | extended and renovated over the centuries and |
| museum and a history museum. There are also a | | | | was used as a royal residence by many French |
| number of shops, restaurants and hotels on the | | | | Kings and Queens, as well as being used by |
| island, so it’s the perfect place to stay for a | | | | Napoleon Bonaparte. |
| day or two in order to break up your Paris hire | | | | You can take a tour of the State apartments, |
| car holiday. | | | | explore the courtyards and gardens, view the real |
| It will take you about three and a half hours to | | | | tennis court and see the 16th century Diana |
| drive to Mont-Saint-Michel from Paris in your hire | | | | Fountain. You can even take a ride around the |
| car. | | | | estate in a horse-drawn carriage. |
| Giverny | | | | It will take you just under an hour to drive to |
| The village of Giverny lies about 80km to the | | | | Fontainebleau from Paris in your hire car. |
| west of Paris and is most famous for being the | | | | Hiring a car in France will enable you to explore at |
| home of the Impressionist artist Claude Monet. | | | | your own pace and in comfort. You won’t |
| Monet lived in Giverny for more than 40 years | | | | have to worry about public transport timetables |
| and his house and gardens are now open to the | | | | and will be able to set your own schedule. |
| public. You can take a tour of his house and | | | | Travelling by hire car will also allow you to see |
| workshop, and explore the beautiful gardens | | | | places that you might otherwise miss, giving you |
| which inspired much of his work. You can see the | | | | a real taste of France. |
| famous water garden and Japanese bridge which | | | | If you are planning to hire a car in Paris, or |
| appear in some of his most famous paintings. | | | | another location in France, check out Easycar for |
| It will take you about an hour and a quarter to | | | | some great deals. Easycar is an online car hire |
| drive to Giverny from Paris in your hire car. | | | | specialist and offers car hire services in more than |
| Versailles | | | | 60 countries. |