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Car Rental - Mâcon
Rent a car in the beautiful town of Mâcon on the banks of the Saône river, in the Saône-et-Loire department in the southern part of Burgundy. Explore a region famed for its great food and wine, and discover its rolling green hills are dotted with medieval villages and ancient castles.
Visit our car rental pick-up point on the outskirts of Mâcon, close to the N79 and the main freeway to Lyon – the ‘Autoroute du Soleil’. This means you can quickly collect your rental car in Mâcon to begin your adventures in this wonderful rural part of France.
There are no hidden extras to pay and you’re covered by our best price guarantee so, if you find a lower Hertz price for car rental in Mâcon, we'll match it and refund the difference.
Drive away, with Hertz car rental in Mâcon today.
Mâcon Locations
A Quick Guide to Mâcon
There’s enough in Mâcon to satisfy even the most curious visitor. However, when you’re in this part of the world, you should reward yourself by enjoying the glorious surrounding region too. Explore the best of Mâcon on your terms, with Hertz car rental.
Step Back in Time
In the center of town is the old cathedral, built between the 11th and 14th centuries. Though not much is left of the original building, the remaining octagonal towers give some indication of just how impressive the cathedral must have been.
You can, however, see the new Cathédral Saint-Vincent de Mâcon in all its glory. Built in the 19th century as a replacement for the crumbling ruin, this neoclassical structure seems to glow in the afternoon sun.
Just a 2-minute walk from the cathedral is the Museé des Ursulines, a museum housed in the charming 17th-century Ursuline convent. Inside you’ll find intriguing relics of the region’s long and eventful history. The first floor displays artefacts from the prehistoric site in nearby Solutré as well as GalloRoman artefacts, and the top floor is dedicated to art through the ages, with works by Titian and Monet.
Stroll Along the River
Wander through the streets of the old center, just behind the L’esplanade Lamartine walkway which runs alongside the river. Here you’ll find the Maison de Bois - translated as the ‘house of wood’. This 15th-century structure is the oldest house in Mâcon and, with its faded panels and intricate carvings, one of the most curious.
From here, enjoy a pleasant stroll along the waterfront promenade, lined by pastel-colored buildings. Admire the Pont Saint-Laurent bridge which arches over the water and walk across to the other side. Dating back to the 11th century, this symmetrical stone structure has been repaired and added to since then.
Cluny’s Sensational Abbey
There are so many attractions to see in this picturesque part of France, but an absolute must-visit when you’re in the area is the small town of Cluny. Located about 15 miles north-west of Mâcon, people come here from far and wide to admire the magnificent Cluny Abbey.
Dating from the 4th century, this is one of the most important abbeys in French history and at one time was the world’s largest church. Though destroyed during the French Revolution in 1790, much of the original building remains and is still a truly impressive sight. Climb the Tour des Fromages tower for unparalleled views over the abbey, the surrounding town and the glorious Burgundy countryside.
Dine in Style
The lands around Mâcon are world-renowned for their cuisine. From soft Mâconnais cheese to fresh fish caught in the Saône river, pull up a chair and get an authentic flavor of France. One of the best places in town is Le Poisson D’Or, where you can enjoy classy seasonal favorites on the terrace overlooking the river.
History, culture and mouth-watering cuisine, make the most of your time with a rental car in Mâcon and soak up all that this idyllic region has to offer.
Driving In and Around Mâcon
Driving your rental car in Mâcon is pleasant – this is a place whose charms are ample. With a river running through the town and the beauty of Burgundy on your doorstep, there’s much to explore here.
The town is bypassed along its western edge by the A6 freeway, which runs between Paris and Lyon. Two other major freeways, the A40 and the A406, join with the Paris-Lyon route to create a highway loop around the city, providing access to the wider French region.
Neighboring European countries aren’t far away either, with the A40 continuing east towards the Swiss border, delivering you to the capital city of Geneva in an hour and 45 minutes.
Parking your rental car is easy in Mâcon. On-street parking is available and there are also numerous parking lots conveniently located around the center. Venturing out of the city, the town of Cluny and its spectacular abbey is just a 20-minute drive away following the D17 and N79 roads. In France, you drive on the right-hand side of the road, as in the U.S. Seatbelts must be worn, and you can’t use a mobile or cell phone while driving. When you’re filling up with gas, Sans plomb is unleaded and Gazole is diesel.
French highways are called autoroutes, prefixed with an ‘A’, and are mostly tolled routes. They’re indicated by blue road signs and marked as ‘Péage’ you can pay with cash and major cards such as Visa and Mastercard.
The speed limit on autoroutes is 80mph, dropping to 70mph when it’s wet. Be aware that lane discipline is quite strict in France. When you’re on the autoroutes, you must pull into the inside lane when there is space.
N roads are two-lane freeways and are indicated by green road signs. The limit on these routes is 70mph, dropping to 60mph when it’s wet. The speed limit on main single carriageway roads in France is 55mph and is usually around 30mph in built-up areas.
