Yes, usually you'll pay a 'cross-border fee' when you pick the car up. This fee will extend your rental's basic damage, theft and third-party protection so it works in another country. When you tell the counter staff you want to take the car abroad, they'll arrange to insure the car for you.

Yes, you can drive a rental car from Germany to France, as both countries are part of the Schengen Area and share a "soft" border, but you must adhere to several rental and legal requirements. First, you must inform your rental agency (like Sixt, Hertz, or Europcar) of your intent to cross the border; while most "Standard" and "Economy" cars are allowed to travel freely between Western European countries, some "Luxury" or "Premium" models (like Mercedes, BMW, or Audi) may have restrictions or require additional insurance fees. Second, you must ensure the car is equipped for French roads; while Germany is famous for its "Autobahn," France utilizes a massive network of toll roads (Péage), so having a credit card or small change ready is essential. Furthermore, French law requires certain safety items in the car, such as a high-visibility vest and a warning triangle, which your German rental agency should provide. Lastly, be aware of the "Crit'Air" clean air zones in major French cities like Paris or Lyon; if your German rental car doesn't have the correct environmental sticker, you could face a fine if you drive into the city center during restricted hours.