So now that we are driving from CDG to Brittany, touring around Brittany/Normandy, and driving back to Paris via Giverny which would be our best option.

I already have the Michelin maps 512 and 513 (I believe those are the numbers for Brittany and Normandy). I have a Garmin that I can download maps to. I've never driven in France so it will all be new.

Our gite is in Treverien and we plan to visit:
Dinan
St Malo
Mont St Michel
D-day Beaches & Bayeux
Cancale

All advice welcome.

Hello trvlgirlmq

I like having a belt and suspenders. I take them all.

Happy travels!

I'd say the Garmin to get you to your gite and the maps for finding interesting little places to visit, and more intersting routes to the main things on your wish list.
The Garmin can always rescue you if you get lost.

All three.

But the French maps are usually wonderful, and what's so bad about being a little lost? As long as it's not in the middle of a city, where it's really annoying.

You can of course take the Garmin, but I still like to use the maps to see where I am in relation to other places.

A GPS can show you lots of things a map can't (and to be fair, vice versa). I know for my TomTom I can download thousands of POIs ranging from locating hotels in the Accor chain to BNP bank branches to large hardware stores. I'd never go to France again without my TomTom. In fact, I don't even leave my own driveway without it as it does hands free cell phone calls for me too! And plays MP3s over the radio...

May as well spend the money to get the GPD maps. I know I will get lost anyway but with 3 kids it's better to be safe than sorry. I get a little testy when they start whining in the backseat.

GPS + maps. The maps give you an overview so you can plan routes - AND check the GPS routes - which sometimes are the shortest but not the best.

Ian

Yes, the GPS and the maps. We were just in Germany, GPS only, and the routing was not the way we 'wanted' to get to our destination! I was really missing my Germany map!!

We have not been to Germany, Austria and Switzerland in 5 years and in those trips we used maps with good success. For a trip this summer should we buy a GPS? Will any work? Is it just a matter of downloading the right maps?

@deladeb -- you might want to start a new post. Reviving a 4-yr-old thread to ask a new question might not get you the info you need....

oops, I thought it was April 2015, did not see the 2011.

@ deladeb -- t least you tried to build on prior info -- and for that, kudos!

anyone???

I notice that you started a new thread, as suggested, but started it in the Lounge. Start a new thread here to get the most helpful responses.

All three, if I had to pick two it would be the map and GPS.

Keep in mind that, if you are going to input the latitude and longitude as your destination points, the Greenwich Meridian runs through Normandy making the East or West important.


Mark

Since I've never used a GPS at all (guess that gives away my age!), I can't comment on that. But, the Michelin maps are wonderful. I've done solo driving trips in many different areas of France with just the maps plus guidebooks. Studying the maps intensively before all the trips helped a lot. But I'm sure a GPS would have greatly alleviated my stress in towns while I was looking for hotels, etc!

Bottom line, as others have said, have both with you.