Looking for a city break? If so, Paris is probably the first destination that springs to mind. The French capital is one of the most popular European holiday destinations and boasts many famous tourist attractions. L’Arc de Triomphe, the Cathedral of NotreDame, the Louvre, The Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles are all world famous landmarks and a must-see for any tourist.

However, not every attraction is central or within walking distance, so hiring a car will allow you to see more of this famous city and the surrounding area. Here are some examples of places you can see with the aid of a hire car:

Fontainebleau

About 35 miles outside of Paris, is the popular tourist resort of Fontainebleau, on the edge of the forest that shares its name. The castle, the Palais de Fontainebleau, is one of the main attractions of the resort. Originally built in the Middle Ages, the palace has been enlarged over hundreds of years, boasting many gardens, courtyards and parks. French monarchs and Napoleon Bonaparte have used this castle as an official residence.

Tourists can take a tour around the palace, taking in the state apartments, the gardens, a 16th century Diana Fountain and the Tennis court.

With a hire car it will take about an hour to get to Fontainebleau from Paris.

Palace of Versailles

The palace dates back to 1623 and was originally intended to be a hunting lodge for King Louis XII of France. Later, during the mid to late seventeenth century, the building was expanded for Louis XIV and became the official residence for the French Court in 1682.

At the end of the First World War, the terms for the German surrender were negotiated at the palace and the resulting Treaty of Versailles had a considerable effect on the course of European politics for the next twenty years.

Versailles is set within beautiful grounds and has many things to see, including the famous Hall of Mirrors. You can also see the Chapel Royal, the Opera, the Grand Apartment and the Queens bed chamber (used by Marie Antointette). The gardens in the palace grounds feature statues, groves and ornamental pools.

With a hire car it will take about thirty minutes to get to Versailles from Paris.

Giverny

Giverny is a village situated about 80km to the west of Paris and was the home of Claude Monet, one of the most celebrated Impressionist artists. Monet’s house, in which he lived for more than 40 years, is now open to the general public. The house and its gardens were not just a residence, but a source of inspiration for his work, as the water garden and Japanese bridge appear in some of his most famous paintings. You can take a tour of the house and gardens for insight into work of the great painter.

The trip to Giverny will take about an hour and quarter to drive from Paris in your hire car.

Mont-Saint-Michel

A small, rocky island off the coast of Normandy, Mont-Saint-Michel is home to the Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel (Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey) and you can reach it via a causeway from the mainland. The site comprises a church and monastery, both built during the 11th century and visitors can take a tour of them both.

The island also has several shops restaurants and hotels, plus a maritime and a history museum. With so much to see, why not stop off there for a day or so in order to break up your holiday?

With a hire car it will take about three and half hours to drive to Mont-Saint-Michel from Paris.

If you are planning to use a hire car in Paris or elsewhere in France, check the easycar website for some great deals.