Best map to use for southern France

For driving through the countryside or finding the smaller villages I like to use the yellow cover Michelin "Departemental" maps. Gives me enough detail and suggestions for scenic itineraries, keys are in both English and French. The red cover Michelin "National" maps are useful for having an overview of the main roads in a country. The orange cover maps are in between and cover more ground.

The maps doesn't need much space, are inexpensive, so buy another if you prefer more or lesser detail. For the area around Marseille you can start for instance with yellow map number 340. The map you will like is just a matter of preference, it's a bit trying what works best for you.

If I need more info about a specific spot, place or museum, the internet is my friend.

We really like, and have used for years, the Micelin maps. #527 will cover your area. In fact, we always get one for our trips in France (the ones for each area, so more detail) and trace our routes on the map and keep it as a souvenir of our trips. We also usually avoid the autoroutes and/or A roads, preferring the D roads that allow us to enjoy the countryside more.

P.S. The 527 is an orange map.

The Michelin maps are widely available in France, if you can't buy them conveniently where you live.

I have bought the maps from Amazon so I could make plans and do research ahead of time, but we have also picked some up very easily in France.

Thanks everyone - I had ordered the Michelin 527 knowing I could return it so I'm happy I was on the right track! I looked it over this weekend and I think (hope!) it will serve us well!

Over on Fodors a little while ago I did a comparison on Michelin guides from 1999 and 2024, and there was a lot of useful discussion about where to get Michelin guides and maps. Michelin has its own web shop which is in many cases cheaper than Amazon, however the cost of shipping is prohibitive. However, compared with the Australian Amazon, the prices and the range are still better. For reference: https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/updating-guide-books-is-michelin-still-a-thing-1725755/.

Lavandula

lavandula,
I paid about $13.00 US for my 527 map, new. Don't know if that is a lot more than the Michelin website. We pay less for the map in France, of course.

The Michelin website sells map 527 for €6,95; Amazon Australia (I am Aussie, we can't buy from the US store in Australia) sells it for A$17.95, but it is out of stock currently (I follow Michelin products on amazon.com.au from time to time and often things sell out and are never replenished). Judy, you probably got yours for a good price considering the exchange rate and the shipping. Amazon AU also sells some harder to get Michelin guidebooks and maps for hundreds of dollars, if you are desperate enough to bite. Michelin doesn't do that. I think I would prefer to give my money to Michelin to sink back into the making of guidebooks and maps!

Lavandula

I second Balso's suggestion, you'll easily find plenty of Michelin maps and maps from other publishers locally in shops such as newsagents, bookstores, and even supermarkets.

Besides Michelin, the IGN (National Geographic Institute) offers a "Tourist" map, TOP250R16, which covers the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region:

https://boutique.ign.fr/cartes-de-tourisme-france-top250r16-provence-alpes-cote-d-azur-9782758556923-1.html

The notes and information are in six languages, including English.

Google Maps and I'm not even joking. Its so customizable and adaptable. If you don't have cell service you can still download maps of the area (before you leave, when on the internet) and your GPS will still work on them (it just won't show you live things like traffic or roadwork).