Going to France by car

Motorway now Purple and we have had no problems the last couple of times.

Is that still the case *absent? It is a family joke that I took us over the bridge there several times and we only got out of the place by following a French driver with a caravan, hoping that he was going on holiday and not heading home. In those pre sat nav days of the 1980s, campsites on the Vendee were full of Brits bonding over maps, trying to work out the best route avoiding Nantes. Happy days!

We think the worst place to get round/through in France is Rouen - it is not quite so bad now as it was years ago, but we may think that because we know what to do now. Sadly this is the only place where Mrs Tom has let us down and sent us the wrong way, but that is probably because the roads changed and we have not bought updated maps!!

The road signs in Nantes all seem to say "autres routes" whichever way they point, so a satnav might stop you going around in circles for an hour.

Garmin every time! Lots of other useful stuff on as well - eg nearest petrol station, supermarket etc

When I have been with my family on holiday in France, my DS has used his smartphone as satnav. I navigated unfamiliar streets in London using mine.

We always use our sat nav but it is a built in model and bang up to date for all of Europe. DH says buy the sat nav, it is easier than the inevitable rows.

We use a Garmin SatNav but unfortunately don't have one geared up for motorhomes. (Beware of low bridges)! OH does tend to feel the French are out to get us when we get off the beaten track. But I reckon he doesn't listen properly to instructions.

In Germany everything works really well.

We use a TomTom all the time when travelling up and down through France. You can choose too if you do not wish to use the motorways etc. incase you are not aware you can use your credit card in any of the tolls - a great majority are now automatic and we find using a card much easier.

Lovely countryside you are visiting - have a great time.

When I go to the continent (with daughter) we would not be without the Tomtom. It helps keep you in the right lane apart from anything else! (can be really scary!)

I have never driven outside UK. DD & SiL lived in Germany for three years and used a TomTom.
I have a "Tommy" and would recommend it for ease of use.

www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Routes

Sorry, forgot to give you the link to the website.

If you want a SATNAV I can recommend TomTom too, but we find the signage in France is so good that we rarely go astray.

We have also found the downloadable, and printable, routes from Michelin are excellent. They even include the tolls and we have found them to be correct to the cent.

Have a great time!

This sounds a great adventure. A TomTom is fine, remember to buy one for Europe! Also use it in the weeks before you go to ensure you are happy with its instructions.