Even though we live in France, we rent cars through Auto Europe, based in Maine, which another Ziner recommended. They are great to deal with. Auto Europe deals mostly with Europcar in France. Europcar is also a good company to deal with.

Your son will have to put down a deposit using a credit card, but the car rental company wouldn't submit the charge unless your son steals the car or totals it -- neither of which are likely! The deposit should be no more than 1,000 euros or so. He certainly doesn't need a credit line of 18,000 euros!

He should use his gold or platinum card, so he won't need a CDW. Note that in France, one is charged extra for a second driver, usually about 3 to 5 euros a day.

Bons voyages et bonnes routes!

Evan in Paris