I've had this in Germany, it's a credit card (that belongs to the driver) or you don't get a car, same with three different companies.

Yep I dont have a credit card so I banged my debit card details under visa on the website and they scaned my debit card when I was over in France. No problem.

Thanks for your help, however still didnt get one! the bus was fine and we will leave the sightseeing untill we go back for the game, couldnt believe how quiet it was compared to last year when the game was on, it was like the land that time forgot!!

I am (sadly) back in the UK at the moment! That sounds about right amount wise. The thing with a CC is that once you allow a company to swipe it they have a right to charge it whatever, a debit card is different you could report it stolen etc and they can't charge it hence why asking for such a large cash deposit. On a seperate note (ish) cheques in France are cashed immediatly rather than waiting 3/4 days to clear and it is illegal to write a cheque when you dont have the cash in the account to cover it hence why the Frenchies write cheques and they would be accepted for car hire!

you can get a prepaid credit card the tuxedo card or something in quite alot of supermarkets now!