I have to say we had the experience from hell and would like to warn anyone considering using Avis rental cars not to do so.  We booked and paid for our car and insurance before we left NZ.  When  we got to Paris we discovered that we were allocated a manual car and asked if we could have an automatic which they said we could.  They got us to sign something in french (neither of us speak or read French) and proceeded to charge us a further $949.  In NZ it is illegal to double insure a car, to not disclose what you are getting someone to sign.  The Flight Centre attempted to get Avis to see reason to which they would not and stated that the case was closed.  They are a disgraceful company and please please re consider using them as I would hate you to experience what we did.  They certainly do not live by the "vision statement".