Car hire Beauvais Airport

Beauvais itself is a charming French city – one with an exceptional cathedral and museums – but the airport is also ideal if you’re making your way to Paris or Disneyland Paris. Once you’ve picked up your hire car, it’s a 100km drive south to the French capital, via the A16, before joining the N184 and A115. It will take around 90 minutes to two hours to get there.

If you’re visiting for family fun at Disneyland, it should take around the same time as you won’t be driving into the centre of Paris. Again, you’ll take the A16 before joining the A3 and then the A104. There will be plenty of signposts to guide you there.

Driving in France is on the right-hand side of the road, with overtaking on the left. The top speed on motorways, known here as autoroutes, is 130km/h in good weather – be aware when driving on these, as some are toll roads.

In built-up areas, there’s a maximum speed of 50km/h, although this can drop further if you find yourself in a school or residential zone. Speed limits can vary according to area and conditions, with lower limits also applying in wet weather, so always check signs for the route that you are on.

Most other rules will be familiar – it’s illegal for drivers to use a mobile phone (even with a headset or earpiece) and seatbelts must be worn by everyone travelling in the car.

Beauvais is much more than just a stop en route to the bright lights and romantic allure of Paris.It has a long history of its own that stretches back to the Romans, and those who stay here before heading off to see the rest of France will be rewarded with a sweet city that punches above its weight.

Paris beckons, of course, and the capital rarely disappoints, while the enchanting towns and villages of Northern France are well worth your time too.

The beauty of Northern France

Head to Beauvais first and unpick the complicated tale and fascinating history of the Cathedral of Saint Peter. Consecrated in 1272, work on this grand and impressive building was never actually completed due to disasters, collapses and lack of funding. The first stone was set in 1225 and construction was abandoned in the late 16th century.

And yet, it remains a remarkable sight. For a brief period it was the tallest building in the world, and its stained glass windows, tapestries and astronomical clock are all things of beauty.

Car hire at Beauvais Airport also means you can make the drive to Rouen, just over 80km to the west. One of the highlights of Normandy, you can visit the square where Joan of Arc met her fate, wander the medieval quarter and tour the beautiful Gothic cathedral that inspired Monet.

City of lights

Whether you’re visiting Paris for the first time, or returning to one of your favourite cities, there are some places that just can’t be missed. Even on a repeat visit, the Eiffel Tower is as vivacious as something wrought from steel can be. Those scared of heights needn’t go all the way to the top either – you can get a sense of the drama and history from the 2^nd floor (climbing the 700 stairs to get there is definitely optional) – but if you make it up there, the views are truly memorable.

Elsewhere, take your pick of the other big hitters: The Louvre with centuries of sensational art, the storied Cathedrale Notre Dame de Paris and the buzzing shopping boulevards.

Avoid the bistros in the tourist areas – you won’t get good value – and instead go off the beaten track for the best steak or moules-frites in town. Paris has never lost what makes it so special, something you’ll know every time you cross a bridge over the River Seine.

Fun for all the family

Still referred to by many as ‘Euro-Disney’, east of Paris sits Disneyland Paris. Combining its theme parks with plentiful places to stay, shop and eat, there’s magic to be found for everyone inside. If the kids have been clamouring to go, it won’t disappoint.

Disneyland Park is definitely for the young ones – and the young at heart. It’s home to Sleeping Beauty’s castle, rides for all ages, street entertainment and chances for the children to encounter their favourite characters.

The adjacent Walt Disney Studios Park has more of a focus on film, with rides based on Toy Story, Armageddon and more. Staying in certain hotels gives you extra ‘magic hours’ in the park – a good way to avoid the crowds.