Looking for some advice!
I've been getting conflicting info on whether I need an international license in France. If anyone has a definitive answer, it would be much appreciated! Thank you!

Hi Guillermo,
There's not too many countries I can think of where an international driver's license is actually legally required to rent a car (including France). The car rental agency won't care.
A couple of exceptions to this: Japan and Greece (they do ask for one when you rent).
The IDL is just a translation document, that makes it easier for police officer's in other countries to understand your license.
What you will hear from traveler's is that in certain country's, if you get pulled over, there's a chance you might run into a corrupt police officer who uses a lack of an international driver's license as an excuse to fine you.
From what I've heard, Italy is known for this. (I've never personally had any issues driving in Italy without one, or any other country in Europe).
You will also hear many people say it's 'better to be safe than sorry' and just get one. Althought at point, you could then view the IDL as a piece of insurance. A $25 piece of insurance that probably rakes in a lot of money for AMA
If you think you'll be driving somewhere where you're likely going to get pulled over, and likely to be asked to produce an international driver's license, and likely to run into an officer that would use a lack of having an IDL to fine you, etc...

Spend the money get the international license and then it does not matter

I had to produce mine to rent a car in France - they're easy to get and pretty cheap, so I say better safe than sorry and just get one.

We just came back and yes we got one. It cost $43.30 at AMA. In the event of an accident you will be glad you have it.

We rented in France, in July, from three separate providers and did not need an international licence.

I think an international licence allows you to drive for an extended amount of time in a country, good for a temporary job relocation etc. Ie in Canada you should only drive in the country for 6 months before changing licence to an Alberta one, unless you have an international licence then it’s 2 years

Nope, not entirely true. ALL the international license does, is give a "language translation" - it's no substitute for a drivers license. https://www.alberta.ca/exchange-non-alberta-licences.aspx
ALBERTA.CA
Exchange a licence from outside Alberta

Sorry it’s only 6 months without an idp, and 1 year with one.

We rented a car in France last July, we used Budget in Bordeaux and did NOT need an international licence.

Hi Guillermo, I am from france and i only possess an Alberta license. A French license was not required to rent a car in France (we went to enterprise) and my boyfriend did not need one either and he is from BC.

If you do want one check out
https://www.travelidd.com/canada/...
TRAVELIDD.COM
Canada - International Drivers License - Travel IDD

The only reason you would need an international license is if you are borrowing (not renting) someone's personal car in France (friend or family etc).

Just get it. Rental companies will not ask for it. The police will, though, if you get into an accident, and if you don't have it, you'll be in a world of hurt. You'll have charges, fines, and court appearances stacked up on you like firewood. You can avoid this with the license. You can easily get one at your local AMA/CAA.

From the French Embassy: Driving licence
If you come to France for a short visit (such as holidays), you can drive using your foreign licence. It must be valid and either written in French or accompanied by an official translation into French or an international licence.
If you reside in France, you may use your foreign licence for one year, under certain conditions. Beyond one year, you must exchange your foreign licence for a French licence.
For further information: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N19126
SERVICE-PUBLIC.FR
Conduire en France avec un permis étranger

in October we were surprised to find that renting a car in Greece required an international driver’s licence. It was a new law. I’d rather have one and never need it, than be refused a rental because I didn’t bother getting one. AMA does them for about $20. If you have an accident or get stopped by polIce you may wish you had spent the money.

No required i was there last summer and inrented a car and drove to Normandy region.
Some rental might ask but its not required

International license is like $20 at AMA if you wanna be certain

We rented in France last fall, not required.

You don’t need one, but it is better to have in case you get into an accident or stopped by the police. To rent a car you don’t need one, but to legally operate a car you do.

Easy enough to get by popping into an AMA and valid for 2 years.

Should be no need, Canadian licences are in French and English so theres no reason to need international permit.

My alberta licence does not have any french on it!

Last October, I rented online a car in Santorini. The night before taking the ferry, a friend of mine just coming back from Santorini, told me that they don’t rent the car w/o international license. I called the rental and they confirmed: no renting, just because, if police is stopping you, both the rental company and you would have to pay €1000 fine. He was very firm, so I had to cancel the contract. Once in Santorini harbour, there were more rentals, and one was insisting to rent me a car. I was angry, told him that I’m just having my Canadian license. He told me “no problem, sir!” - and so I got a rental.
But having an international license is cheap and it will keep you out of trouble.

I have heard, not necessarily confirmed, that often an International Drivers license is not required to rent a vehicle, but if you get stopped by the police you need it. The license is $25 for 5 years.

You may use your license. No translation required.

We drove there no problem with our Alberta license
have fun. We did rent the car in the Netherlands but drove France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany.

International licence Is technically required for any country that has a different alphabet than ours (Greek, Turkish, Arabic, Russian etc) I know for a fact that Greece it is now mandatory - in 2018 the Greek gov’t put into law that if a tourist is caught without an IDL, both the driver AND the rental outfit are fined. You may find a business that’s willing to take the chance but it’ll be tough... my friend did not get an IDL before we went to Greece in ‘12 and was not allowed on the rental contract.

Easy and cheap to get one, to be on the safe side.

I picked up a car at Orly (Paris) in July 2018 for driving through western Europe for 3 months and no international drivers license required. Has that changed since then?

You should have one for Italy because they are sticklers for having paperwork in order.