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And to add to anyone who cares about the subject, a REAL Michelin map is so much better and more fun to navigate with. See the little places off the route you are traveling.

I know I'm in the minority, but I hate using GPS in France. I don't like anyone yammering at me while I'm driving through peaceful countryside, and I dislike the fact that all GPS does is get me from A to B without any information on what I'm missing along the way. Michelin maps are brilliant. I study them the night before taking off for anywhere and have them handy in the (quiet) car when I'm traveling.

Since I first responded to this post, Google has greatly improved its navigation system. You can now download the maps for your entire itinerary over wifi and use the service, including turn-by-turn directions, offline. They say they've also greatly reduced the time it takes to find a satellite.

I haven't tried it yet, because within Europe and in the USA I have access to data services through my Italian data roaming plan, which is a lot cheaper than the rip-off plans offered by American providers.

Using a GPS system does not preclude studying and using maps, too. I'm happy to do my homework, pull over if I see something interesting, etc., but as a solo driver, I'm very pleased to have a navigator, even if it is electronic.

I can't read a map while I'm driving. My TomTom can. I might not know which lane I should be in on a busy autoroute with multiple directions coming up with several exit choices... my TomTom knows and shows me clearly on the screen. I'm driving at night... my TomTom knows where it is in the dark. When I was in my teens I could look at a map in the morning and remember the junction where I was to turn later that evening. In my 60s I can't do that anymore. My TomTom can!

We spent 10 days driving through northern France then Belgium and the Netherlands to Amsterdam late this summer. I had a brand spanking new Michelin Road Atlas for France and bought one for BeNeLux at the first gas station in Belgium. Invaluable. But not when doing 130 kph on the autoroute and you need to know right now if this is your exit!

I have 2 TomTom 930s. Older now but both work great. One thing many people seem unable to grasp... you do not *have* to turn where your device says. Pick your own route anytime and your GPS will readjust.

Agree with ParisAmsterdam and kJ. After decades of driving in Europe just with maps a GPS is a nice aid.

My experience with my Garmin (purchased online from Costco) was excellent in Australia, France, Spain and Hungary. Get one that has map updates included and ensure that you buy a mini sd card to hold any exta map data.

I highlyrecommend it based on my experience.

I am asking the same thing, what GPS can be recommended while in Europe. I am hoping I can use an app with good mapping and directions.
I am thinking of Turtler app.

https://turtler.io/

Judging by the poster's name this is an ad.

Last year I bought a Garmin nuvi 57LM in the UK from Curry's. So, it is a GPS preloaded with maps of Europe. I will be travelling in Europe a lot, and the price was great. Used it extensively in the UK, Scotland and Ireland, very satisfactorily.

Now I am travelling in Portugal; never missed my destination and never got lost. Next month we will drive in Spain.

For Canada where I live, I purchased a Garmin in Canada, thus preloaded with maps of Canada and the US.