Find your perfect hire car at Perpignan Airport (PGF)
If you’re flying into Perpignan, the vibrant capital of the Pyrénées-Orientales and hiring a car from Perpignan Rivesaltes Airport (PGF) is the perfect way to explore this southern France holiday destination. This is French Catalonia with its unique blend of French and Catalan history, language, food, and culture.
Perpignan lies between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees mountains near the Spanish border. Its main gateway, Perpignan Airport (PGF) – also known locally as Llabanère Airport – is located just 5km to 7km north of the city centre and right off the A9 motorway. As a vital gateway to the Pyrénées-Orientales department and the Occitanie region, Perpignan Airport offers direct flights to numerous European destinations and serves as the ideal starting point for exploring the breathtaking landscapes of the Vermilion Coast and the scenic mountain ranges by hire car.
Our Avis Perpignan Rivesaltes Airport car rental branch offers a fleet of quality rental vehicles and speedy collection service. Our friendly team is ready with local advice on your drive plus the best routes to explore the glorious coastline, historic castles, and stunning mountain regions. Book direct with Avis for flexible, free cancellation up to 48 hours before your scheduled arrival to rent a car at Perpignan Airport.
Where to find Avis at Perpignan Airport
You will find our Avis counter conveniently located on-site within the main airport terminal building. Simply exit the baggage claim area and head into the ground floor arrival hall to find our desk, where our team will be waiting to hand over your keys. Your rental vehicle will be ready for collection close by in the designated airport car park.
Avis services at Perpignan Airport
Our car rental office at Perpignan Rivesaltes Airport offers a wide selection of vehicles from a quality fleet tailored for exploring south-west France and neighbouring Spain with ease. Whether you plan an urban escape, a coastal road trip, or a journey through winding mountain passes, we have the perfect option. You can choose a practical, compact city car ideal for navigating Perpignan's historic narrow streets, a comfortable sedan for longer cross-border journeys, or a spacious SUV. To get ready for your road trip, just add all the extras you need during booking, including GPS navigation systems and child seats.
Ahead of your Avis car rental at Perpignan Airport, you can enjoy discounts of up to 10% on your booking plus fast-track service and exclusive offers when you join Avis Preferred, our free loyalty scheme.
Perpignan Airport car rental FAQs
Can I drop off my hire car after hours at Perpignan Rivesaltes Airport?
Yes. There is 24-hour drop-off available at using the secure Avis key drop box. Simply park, lock the vehicle, and place the keys along with your completed rental contract into the designated drop box.
Can I pick up my rental car at Perpignan Rivesaltes Airport and return it to another location?
Yes. One-way car rental with Avis makes travel easy. You can collect your car at Perpignan Rivesaltes Airport and return it to another Avis office on mainland France or even cross-border locations, depending on your pre-arranged travel plans and booking conditions.
What are the age requirements for hiring a car at Perpignan Rivesaltes Airport?
The minimum age to rent a car in France is 21. A young driver surcharge may apply to drivers under 25, and certain premium or luxury vehicle groups may have higher age restrictions.
Is it worth hiring a car at Perpignan Rivesaltes Airport?
This highly diverse region makes French Catalonia uniquely suited for an unforgettable road trip adventure. Because the Pyrenees mountains loom over the landscape, public transport to remote historic sites and coastal villages is limited. Hiring a car is the most practical way to experience the changing scenery of the Pyrénées-Orientales, allowing you to drive from sun-drenched Mediterranean coves to rugged alpine heights at your own pace while accessing hidden gems that are otherwise hard to reach.
What type of vehicle should I choose to get around Perpignan and the surrounding region?
A compact car is generally suitable for navigating narrow city streets, winding coastal roads along the Vermilion Coast, and tight parking spaces in ancient towns. For greater comfort on longer cross-border journeys into Spain or when driving through mountain passes in the Pyrenees, a sedan, premium model, or SUV may be more appropriate.
Tips for driving in Perpignan and the Pyrénées-Orientales department
The region features an excellent network of roads linking major towns and cities, offering scenic drives from Perpignan to Collioure, Céret, and across the border into Girona or Barcelona. Be prepared for narrow, twisting roads throughout the mountainous interior and within remote rural villages.
If you have not driven in France before, please remember that you will be driving on the right-hand side of the road, as in the rest of mainland Europe. It may be helpful to familiarise yourself with the French road rules before you pick up your Avis hire car.
You will find parking straightforward to navigate in Perpignan and across popular regional destinations. There is a mix of on-street parking pay zones (using parking meters or mobile apps) alongside secure municipal multi-storey car parks near the town centres.
Explore Perpignan with your Perpignan Rivesaltes Airport
The city centre of Perpignan is just ten minutes from the airport, via the D5G, and is a fantastic gateway to the south of France.
On arrival in Perpignan, begin your tour of the city at the Palais des Rois de Majorque, a huge attraction that sits in the old town. With obvious Spanish influence to its architecture, this was the city’s palace when it was the continental capital of the Kingdom of Majorca in the middle ages. Eventually the French took control of the region, when Spain formally ceded power over the city. The Cathédrale St-Jean, completed in the 1500s, also has many Catalan features.
The city’s old town is a labyrinth of streets and alleys, with many of the buildings adorned in pretty pastel colours. The town was once encircled by defensive walls, but the only remnants that remain are parts of the original red-brick gate – Le Castillet – which is still worth seeing.
Visit the folklore museum, Casa Païral, while you’re in town. It displays pieces from the city’s Catalan era, including bonnets and a 17th century kitchen.
Perpignan is well-known for its mix of Spanish, North African and French influences and is a very multicultural destination. This is especially evident in the local cuisine. A classic casserole is made with a mix of ingredients, including peppers, eggplants, saffron and tomatoes. Local escargot and dried ham are also found on many restaurant menus.
Plan a road trip from Perpignan Rivesaltes Airport
From Perpignan, the south-west of France is easily accessible by car. Some of the country’s greatest treasures are just a short drive away.
Carcassonne
Just over an hour via the A61 and A9, the fortified town of Carcassonne has served as the setting for numerous movies based in the middle ages. A Unesco World Heritage Site, this beautifully restored town features small winding streets and ramparts dotted with quaint shops and restaurants, drawing travellers from all over the world.
Béziers
An hour north on the A9, the town of Béziers boasts a picturesque old town, and hides a rather violent history as a jumping-off point for the Crusaders. It also still features an annual bullfighting competition that draws huge crowds to the tiny town. The famous Canal du Midi, linking the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, can also be visited here.
Collioure
Drive for 25 minutes south of Perpignan on the D914 to the charming seaside town of Collioure, situated close to the Spanish border. The colourful buildings and beautiful scenery made this town a favourite for many of the fauve painters, like Henri Matisse. Be sure to visit the Musée d’Art Morderne, and the impressive Château Royal.
Why choose Avis for your Perpignan Airport car hire?
Avis offers a rental experience designed to make your travels easier from the moment you arrive at Perpignan Airport. Our Avis Perpignan Airport car rental location offers quick vehicle collection so you can continue your journey without delay.
- Fully flexible
Enjoy fee-free flexible booking with full cash refunds and no vouchers.
- Savings on coverage
When you choose Avis Inclusive you can experience total peace of mind with no extras or surprises. Pay one upfront price for free Roadside Assistance Plus and 25% discount on comprehensive zero-excess cover.
- Loyalty benefits
Join our free loyalty programme Avis Preferred, and benefit from priority service, discounts and more.
- Faster collection
Save time at the counter by registering your details in advance with our simple and free QuickPass. You could be on the road sooner than you think.
- VIP treatment
Get priority counter service on collection with Avis Preferred. At our larger locations you can use our Avis app to go straight to your car where the keys will be waiting for you.