Michelin maps
 

Are the Michelin maps in French? Do they come in English? Does it even matter?

Thank you.

Michelin maps are generally multilingual. Most of the map information is language-independent, anyway (roads look like roads in any language).

They're in French, just like the names of the places you'll be looking for. So no, it doesn't matter! If you go to the Michelin web site, http://www.viamichelin.com you can get search for your itinerary in English.

The michelin maps and map books are worth their weight in gold. As AnthonyGA says they are pretty much language neutral.

But remember you don't want a map in english, because the road signs will be in the language of the country you are visiting. No use having a map that shows you the road to Cologne, when the road signs say Koln.

You can check these out at any Barnes & Noble, Borders, or any one of the larger bookstores.

There are different versions of most maps. I have a "traveler's map" of France that is in French. It is very useful if you can read it. For example, it has tables that indicate the time of year that different parts of the country have school vacations and the impact this has on travel.

The information contained in the map itself can be read regardless of language, but this does not necessarily apply to some of the auxiliary material.

You can also use Mapquest France for point to point directions.
http://www.mapquest.fr/mq/home.do

I usually go to B&N and get the Orange maps of the area we'll be. I've also pre-printed out point-point directions, but sometimes those are confusing or we make a change on the fly. I've had pretty good luck with the big Orange maps...

Michelin maps are not the only maps sold --- in France the IGN maps are twice as detailed and thus better for hikers or bikers. The same is true for other countries - Michelin's 1:200000 series are perfect enough in detail however - these are area maps available in France everywhere - gas stations, newsstands, etc.

I have a Michelin map for Ireland (712) and it has any wording in both English and French. The town names, etc. are in English and Irish in the Gaelacht(where they speak both) and English only in the east.