We will be renting a car upon leaving Paris to explore other areas in France. I%26#39;ve been reading on this and other France forums that theft (as in, breaking into the car and stealing items) is something to watch for.
Now, I%26#39;m not trying to be hyper-paranoid, but I would like be proactive and take any possible steps to avoid this problem. We will no doubt be making some stops en route to destinations to see sights, eat, etc.. Obviously, we will store most belongings in the trunk and will not leave cash or valuables in plain sight. I heard that thieves generally target cars that may look like tourists%26#39; or %26quot;non-locals%26quot;.
Are there any tips out there from you seasoned travellers which would deter thieves from a possible break-in?? I had heard somewhere on this site that putting a local paper in the windshield may work, among others, but I can no longer find the thread.
I know that it most likely will not happen, and I will not spend my precious vacation time worrying about it......but you just never know....better safe than sorry.
Thoughts??
Many thanks in advance!
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My parents had their car broken into. They had put all the obvious stuff in the boot, so the thieves just broke into the boot to steal everything.
Basically there is no foolproof way, except park your car in a safe and busy place, and don%26#39;t be too obvious about moving stuff into your boot - perhaps do it at someplace other than where you are parking.
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It is easy to spot hire cars as the majority are registered in one department which is recorded on the car%26#39;s licence plate.
As the last post said park in public car parks which have attendents- one we use in the south is patrolled by guard dogs in peak tourist season.
Make it difficult to get into the trunk - park with it facing a wall as close up as you can get so that it cannot be broken into without difficulty.
Always check that you have not inadvertantely left something of value visible.
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let me also add that the rental cars have more hidden storage than it may appear! it took us 3 days to find this out, but our VW Golf had a false bottom in the trunk with lots of extra storage once we removed it. there were also hidden storage compartments in the form of slide-out drawers underneath the front seats.
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Tigger is right, stop before you are going to park and remove all maps and belongings to the boot/trunk. Then when you arrive at the parking just get out and walk away.
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Excellent advice above--but it depends on what area you are visiting.
The Southeastern part of France is TERRIBLE (e.g. tourists get highjacked as they leave the motorway in Nice) so it is better not to leave anything in the car. And don%26#39;t forget--the thieves know all the tricks--hidden compartments, etc.
However this is not true of central France, Normandy, or Alsace for example.
You might also consider renting a cheap, smallish car--makes you look less affluent--hopefully they%26#39;ll break into the Jaguar next to you.
Be safe.
FW
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Don%26#39;t fret too much though. I have rented a car dozens of times in Provence and never had an issue...(knock wood of course). You%26#39;ve gotten good advice.
Les
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everyone knows your car is from out-of-town. everyone sees that you car is loaded with luggage, if that is the case. every thief knows your car is a rental (if you rent from the major agencies, as they all have bar code stickers).
So, drop off your luggage at your hotel for that night before heading out to tourist sites. Keep your car in sight when doing pit stops at restaurants.
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I%26#39;m with Les on this one and in 20 years of visits I have never been hijacked off the motorway in Nice or heard of it. Maybe it happens once in a blue moon but not as Frederick suggests I think.
Just don%26#39;t let your brain go into holiday mode and have fun.
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Many thanks for all of the advice!
I%26#39;m not too worried about it, but of course would like to be on the smartly %26quot;aware%26quot; side. The majority of the time, our belongings will be kept at our accomodations (many with private/gated secured parking), but there will be some times (i.e. our day trip to Normandy - I know, I know, a day is not long enough! - or the drive from St. Remy to Villefranche where a few stops may be made) where we do not have this option.
I have rented cars in other countries (and my own), and visited cities big and small, and have never had a problem, so I%26#39;ll hope this visit goes the same......I%26#39;m looking forward to it!!
Thanks again!
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