Does Apple Maps App work in France?

Yes, of course they do.

For a time, Waze supposedly was banned because its ability to identify speed radar installations was considered by the Gendarmerie as violating France's ban on radar detectors.

As far as I know, that prohibition has lapsed and Waze is quite useful at identifying the location of fixed radar sites (depicted as a police officer icon in a blue cap). It works perfectly well in France, as does Apple Maps.

If you have a smartphone with a data plan, there's really no need to pay the auto rental company extra money to get GPS.

Yes, all the maps apps work including Apple, Waze and Google maps. I used Google maps extensively in both Germany and Scotland and had no problems at all with it. In fact, my rental car included a free GPS unit, but I decided not to use it since Google maps worked so well.

Just to tack on since Waze was mentioned. In the States, Apple Maps often shows radar also (saying "Speed Check Ahead" or something like that). Does anyone know if it does this in France as well?

and just to be handy, you can make guides in Apple Maps for your points of interest! (its way more user friendly for me than mymaps on google on my phone)

Just to tack on since Waze was mentioned. In the States, Apple Maps often shows radar also (saying "Speed Check Ahead" or something like that). Does anyone know if it does this in France as well?

PharmerPhil, see above post by Forum name appears here about how Waze works in France.

I used Apple Maps for driving for 3 weeks in France, not to mention in other countries. No problems.

Edited to add that I have not had a rental car for the last few years that didn’t have Apple Car Play. It’s easy to connect your phone to it and have a bigger screen than your phone.

PharmerPhil, see above post by Forum name appears here about how Waze
works in France.

Yes, I was asking about Apple Maps, not Waze. Apple often (but not always) caves in to government pressure on things like this. I agree with Andrea re: ApplePlay, but a lot of newer cars are sadly not coming equipped with ApplePlay because they want you on their own, proprietary system (and likely don't want to pay Apple for theirs).

Every rental I’ve have had, both domestic and foreign, in the last few years have had the ability to hook up to Apple Play. I never considered a newer car would not come equipped that way.

Yes, I was asking about Apple Maps, not Waze.

Oops, should have read the question better. :)

Apple maps require wifi to use it. If you won't have wifi available, you can download the maps before leaving home & access them later.

When using the map while driving I didn’t not have wifi. I did have cell service on my phone.

Google Maos is better than Apple Maps.
Google collects more data and is more accurate.