Car hire at Valence TGV Train Station
Pick up your Avis hire car at the Valence TGV train station. We’ll be waiting to meet you with the keys to your rental car at the Avis desk in the North Car Park, on the “Alps side" of the station.Overlooking the Rhône river and filled with historical monuments, quiet Valence and the surrounding area is full of French charm.
All you need to do is drive.
Popular rental locations in Valence
Plan your journey from Valence TGV Train Station
It takes around 15 minutes on the N532 to reach the heart of Valence from Valence TGV Station. This picturesque town, originally built in terraces by the Romans on the left bank of the Rhône, has kept its charm and authenticity.On arrival in Valence, start your visit at the Kiosque De Peynet on the Champ de Mars. This historical monument is one of the city’s main attractions. From here, you can get a great view of Parc Jouvet and its trees, flower beds, fountains and canals, as well as the Rhône river. You can also see Château de Crussol from here, the inspiration for the artist Raymond Peynet’s famous love story drawings.
The Maison des Têtes (literally the ‘House of Heads’) is a must-see in Valence. The façade and courtyard of this 16th century house is covered in carvings of different heads symbolising the winds, fortune, time, theology, law and medicine, while inside is decorated with busts of Roman emperors . Nearby is the Cathédrale Saint-Apollinaire, with architectural features that are unique to the region. Head to Grand Rue, lined with cafes and boutique shopping, to pause for coffee and take in your surroundings.
Place des Clercs is the place to go for Provencal dishes and Drôme specialities. You can also dine in the market square, and sample some of the local Swiss-influenced cuisine. Pop into any bakery in Valence, and you’ll find ‘The Swiss’ – a sweet orange flavoured pastry created in the shape of a Swiss guard, commemorating the Swiss guard’s presence in Valence in the 1800s.
Unwind and relax in Valence with Avis car hire.
Road trips from Valence TGV Train Station
Valence’s location provides you with the best opportunities for exploring the Rhône region.Lyon
Take the A7 from Valence for the 90-minute drive to Lyon, the capital of the Rhône region. Sitting between two rivers, the Rhône and the Saône, Lyon has been a cultural and historical centre since Roman times, and this is reflected in its architecture. Start in the Croix-Rousse district, where silk makers worked until the 19th century and be sure to visit the Romanesque-gothic Lyon Cathedral, the City Hall, and the Fontaine Bartholdi. There are also many fine art museums to view.
Grenoble
You don’t have to travel far from Valence to reach the French Alps. Take the A49 for an hour and you’ll arrive in Grenoble – the gateway to the Alps, and the former host of the Winter Olympics. This place is perfect for those who want to enjoy the great outdoors; you can go snowshoeing, snowboarding, skiing, hiking, climbing and more. Head to La Bastille fortress by cable car, or hike up the hill through the beautiful Jardin des Dauphins to enjoy stunning views of the city and the Alps.
Mirmande
Officially listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, Mirmande is just a 30-minute drive from Valence on the A7. This tiny medieval town is easy to explore, and you’ll love its traditional cottages. Nestled in the hills, walk to the top of the town to see the Romanesque Church of Sainte Foy, which looks out across the area. Be sure to pop into one of the beautiful gardens while you’re here.
Ready to explore France’s Rhône region? All you have to do is drive.
Road rules in France
Which side of the road?In France, please drive on the right side of the road.
Country driving laws
- Mobile phones may only be used with a hands-free device. Do not use headphones or earpieces
- In towns and rural areas, on minor roads and where there is no clear indication of right of way, it may be prudent to give way to traffic coming from the right (“priorité a droite”)
- Bus lanes are reserved exclusively for buses, taxis and bicycles
- It is recommended that drivers use dipped headlights at all times
Speed limits
All speed signs will be in km/h.
For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailer:
- Urban areas: 50 km/h (31 mph)
- Rural areas: 90 km/h (55 mph)
- 4-lane expressways (rural areas): 110 km/h (68 mph)
- Motorways: 130 km/h (80 mph)
Unless indicated by road signs. Be aware of changes to speed limits displayed on road signs due to adverse weather conditions.
Child safety / Seatbelt laws
- It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
- Children aged under 10 and weighing less than 36kg must be seated in appropriate child restraint
- Children weighing up to 9 kg must travel in a rear-facing car seat, in the back of the car only
Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.