twk

<<To me, it's another electronic disruption during times I like to have peace and quiet and navigate my way from A to B, which I'm quite capable of doing with paper maps and atlases.>> You can turn the volume down, or mute it completely.

MmePerdu

I think there are map people and there are electronics people. Of course one could be both but I guess I'm a purist and just love my paper maps. I have no experience with a GPS and suppose one could use it for planning too. But for me there's just no substitute for a beautiful paper map such as the OS 1/25,000 scale ones I use for my walks. I just seem to disappear into them. Probably not so easy to do with a little device.

rhkkmk

we always prefer road atlases when driving---size... get one with a spiral binding---bookstore in france or at gas stations

rhon

For our first two trips to France [ 2006 and 2008 ] we travelled with the Michelin road atlas and a large map of France for the overall picture. Yes, it is bulky, but we continue to use it. I am the navigator and I find it easier than fold out maps. Sometimes the spine of the book is a pain, I get better with practice. It has always been sufficient for us, and we do get off the main roads. And it is invaluable in our planning of future holidays and places to stay.

For our trips in 2010 and 2012, we also took a GPS. But I still travel with the map book open on my lap. Why? Because we like to have some control over where we going as opposed to putting in a destination and just following the GPS. We like to follow scenic roads, detour off onto a side road to drive past a chateau or other marked point of interest. We use the GPS mainly for getting in and out of larger towns, finding the parking and on our longer days of travel from gite to gite to keep track of how far is left. They are a useful tool, but by no means infallible as we found out several times.

For us the book is more practical. For example, our last trip was nine weeks, in nine different areas and passing through several others. Comes down to what you are comfortable with.

annhig

we're going to Brittany for 4 days next week. we know where we're going [we've booked].

We'll take satnav, maps and a road atlas just for good measure. I like to be able to see what's round about us, especially with the satnav on, so that we don't miss something en route.

twk

<<I think there are map people and there are electronics people. Of course one could be both but I guess I'm a purist and just love my paper maps. I have no experience with a GPS and suppose one could use it for planning too. But for me there's just no substitute for a beautiful paper map such as the OS 1/25,000 scale ones I use for my walks. I just seem to disappear into them. Probably not so easy to do with a little device.>>

No, you can be both. I love maps. Before the advent of GPS and computer mapping, I had tons of paper maps, particularly local maps for cities and towns, and I still have a goodly number of those. When I go to Paris or London, I'm going to have a pocket atlas tucked in my back pocket. However, when I'm driving, in addition to the paper atlas, I like having a GPS as an additional source of information.

Just because a map is in digital form doesn't make it less of a map. In fact, digital mapping has give me access to many more maps than I had in the old days. The routing instructions you get from these sources are, to me, simply an aid, and not a command to be followed blindly.

If you're an obsessive planner like me, you'd think nothing of spending an hour watching Google Earth fly through your planned route of travel. I definitely agree that one who relies blindly on GPS directions is missing a big part of the fun of travel, but if one uses GPS as simply an additional tool, it can enhance your travel experience.

milestogoneedadvice

We had planned to use the Michelin Road Atlas. I have checked the local travel store that carries Michelin maps and Barnes and Noble. Barnes and Noble can't even order it. I tried online. Amazon has it but it takes too long to get here. Sorry guys, I let this get away from me, thinking B&N or Amazon would work. I can get individual maps locally. I have read that the atlas will be accessible in France. Is it to risky to wait until we get there? (We would need to purchase the atlas in Chartres.) I would rather have the atlas, but I can get the maps now.
Countdown!

annhig

personally I would wait til you get to Chartres and in the meantime, google where the bookshops are.

though as stated up thread, you will probably be able to find one at a petrol station too.

AJPeabody

Take one or two highlighters (I liked orange and blue)to mark your maps before geting into the car. Makes it easy for the navigator.

StCirq

www.laprocure.com

La Procure bookstore in Chartres
16, Impasse du Cheval Blanc

According to the website, they stock the atlas.

MaineGG

If you don't find one at La Procure, there's an FNAC store in Chartres where, according to the website, there is a limited stock of both the spiral bound and non-spiral bound versions of the Michelin Atlas Routier.

This is the 2013 version of the one we bought in 2011:
http://livre.fnac.com/a4998860/Colle...13-l-essentiel

If you prefer the spiral bound:
http://livre.fnac.com/a4998858/Colle...routier-France

Here are the details about the Chartres FNAC store:
http://www.fnac.com/Chartres/Fnac-Chartres/cl108/w-4

janisj

The spiral one is terrific - lays completely flat.

milestogoneedadvice

This is all great information. As I read these , I did have one new scary thought. I have looked at them online and the versions were in English. Do you think that version will be available there?

StCirq

What do you mean - the versions were in English? We're talking about maps and place names. What's in English? If you're talking about the text parts of the atlas, where it describes things like scenic routes and places of historic interest and meanings of road signs and such, of course it will be in French. You're going to France and will have to get used to that. No, in all likelihood the "English version," whatever that may be (never had or even seen one of those, personally), won't be available.

MaineGG

There are English versions available, however the most recent one I found was published in 2009. I think there have been some significant changes since then in how highways are numbered in some places.

http://www.michelintravel.com/maps/france-4/

http://www.amazon.com/Atlas-France-R...0116180&sr=1-1

However, even if you don't read French, you should be able to use the maps in the more up-to-date French versions. And Google Translate could help with the legend items if necessary.

janisj

Usually the legends/symbol descriptions are in multiple languages (at least French/English/German/Spanish. Maybe more)

milestogoneedadvice

I do understand that this is France and we will be immersed in the language and culture. But we still have confidence that we can travel there. We want to be a part of this. We don't speak French. We are working on phrases and basics. I did read that the Michelin map had an English version. Janisj your information is encouraging. I have a Michelin road map and I can read it, so I assumed the atlas would be like it.
At this point, we will have to manage. Hopefully we can understand the atlas. I'm not throwing in the towel yet!
We will still plan to purchase it there.

rhon

I would not worry. We have the Michelin atlas, bought in Australia, and we have no difficulties. At the moment it is in use as we follow the Tour de France on TV. I have high school French [ I am rapidly approaching sixty ] and my DH is foreign language challenged. Go and enjoy yourself and stop stressing.

Sberg

We just came back from driving through France for 2 weeks with maps and no GPS. I found the Michelin maps rather awkward and supplemented them with tourist maps we got at tourist information. Burgundy area gave us a more detailed map than one i bought! Be mindful of the tolls. Our credit cards would not work (nor did they work in gas stations). Be sure to have bills and adequate coins handy. Some tolls take bills but others only take coins (we almost got stuck once but scrounged up enough change). Get gas during the day at a station with an attendant. This can be difficult in the small villages. Know which towns you are headed towards. Even the small roads are well marked at the many round abouts you will come to. Just drive around them a few times. Have a great time. We had a blast!

Yostwl

Good point by Sberg for US travellers going to europe. You usually need a true chip and pin credit card for automatic toll booths, ticket machines, and unmanned gas stations. USAA does have one--charges only a 1% foreign transaction fee.