GPS or Michelin maps?

We%26#39;ll be traveling from Paris to the Loire Valley and then to the area around Sarlat. We%26#39;ll go to some pretty small towns in the way.

I%26#39;ve never used a GPS and I%26#39;m quite good at reading maps while my husband drives (I%26#39;ve done it several times before).

Do you think a GPS is a must have? It will cost us around 120E to rent one for this trip, I%26#39;m not sure if it%26#39;s worth it.

What are your thoughts?

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I%26#39;ve never had a GPS and never want one. My vote goes to the map. Easier to plan and if you go wrong, easier to rectify. Make sure its a good one though: the Michelin atlas 1:200000 is my favourite.

BTW Sarlat is beautiful.

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I agree with kebabs - other advantages with maps are that you know where you%26#39;ve been, you can identify what%26#39;s around you, and you can also spot interesting detours. If you do miss a turn, you can tell at a glance whether it%26#39;s wiser to retrace your route or try to plan a new one.

IMO, 120€ is a lot of money and if you are OK with a map, it would be better to spend it on food and wine. ;-)

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In spite of the glories of GPS, maps really do still work and offer everything a traveler needs without the worry of batteries or a power source of any kind.

I personally like the Michelin Atlas of France in sprial backed book form. About 20-25€ sold widely.

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No brainier, GPS, don’t rent, buy one, its cheaper in the long run. I had both Michelin maps and GPS, thing about GPS, with a good model it’s telling you what exit to take on a roundabout, a map wont do that. Plan with a Michelin map but drive with a GPS. I’d get one with text to speech functionality, garmin 660 is pretty cheap now.

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%26lt;%26lt;it’s telling you what exit to take on a roundabout, a map wont do that%26gt;%26gt;

That%26#39;s what the human mapreader does - check the roadsign as you approach the roundabout, count the exits and tell the driver (if he/she hasn%26#39;t managed to do it for him/herself). Human mapreaders can also point out exits and turns, emphatically if necessary!

Coming from the UK, the main difference is remembering to count exits going anticlockwise, not clockwise, round the roundabout.

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I think a GPS is great if you already own one, have one supplied free (or very cheaply) in your rental car, or hate using maps. 120E is too much to pay to rent one. You can buy them for not much more than that.

We used a GPS for our trip a few months ago because we received one as a gift just before we left. It was very pleasant having a lovely English voice tell us where to go but several times the GPS tried to direct us on roads that either didn%26#39;t exist (that was confusing!), were private (complete with closed gates) or were totally unsuitable (vertical snow and ice covered track that was barely wider than our car - VERY SCARY!) After that experience we got a detailed map. Foolishly we had thought we wouldn%26#39;t need one because we had a GPS!

Why don%26#39;t you try to borrow one for a weekend drive to see if you like using it. If so then consider whether you would like to purchase one. If not then continue using maps.

If you%26#39;re good at reading maps then a GPS is perhaps a helpful extra it%26#39;s certainly not a must have.

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Nothing beats a Michelin map for road detail, I carried one on my trip, and in this regard it beats a GPS imho. But for ease of driving, finding oneself if making a wrong turn, searching for a unique Hotel, town or Chateau, offering alternative routes, I still think GPS is the better way to go; but I understand those who like maps as well.

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Forget about the GPS - The Michelin maps are %26quot;the way to go.%26quot;

Personally, I do not want anybody, especially, some wierd voice, telling me where to turn. Much of the joy of travelling in a foreign country is having a stock of good regional guide books and local maps and then, taking the raods less travelled, and really exploring.

Even if your car comes with a GPS I would advise you to NEVER turn it on - Afterall, who needs another voice along on a vacation.

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On the contrary, the GPS we used took us down roads we otherwise would have avoided. Leave taking the road less traveled to Robert Frost, he never had GPS.

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Why not use both? GPS with all of Europe is expensive but try to borrow one. Get a Garmin NUVI Small and reliable. Use the map as a back up. Also the NUVI has a language translator as an upgrade.