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Driving in rural France with Google maps

In France, Google maps is set up by complete morons. The manner in which they give audio directions on Google maps is completely worthless in France. That's because the Google approach of using road names does not work in France.

In the US, at an intersection, you see a road sign - Frederick Road - so google says "Go left at Frederick Road". The sign is obvious and clear.

In France NO ROADS ARE NAMED WITH BIG SIGNS. They have at most numbers. If there is a name of the road, it is a small blue plate located on a house usually in a place you cannot see while turning.

So Google Maps will say "Take Rue du St Louis at the next roundabout". Well, nowhere NOWHERE is there a sign for "Rue du St Louis". There may be "D56". There is a sign for "Audierne" and so forth. But named streets? They do not exist on French road signs.

So, when driving, pay very close attention to "Take the 3rd exit from the roundabout". But the name of the road is useless.

Posted by
3245 posts

JoLui: You are French, so of course you have no problem driving in France. If you are a tourist, it's a very different experience.

I think we went thru that linked intersection a time or 12.

Posted by
2343 posts

I had no problem using Google Maps in rural France, but I always turn off the voice directions. I find them confusing even when they're in my native language. Honestly, I find it more difficult to follow in cities. Waze works a little better in cities IME.

Posted by
2650 posts

I don't use Google maps. Learned that a long time ago. Use Waze. Set it up to avoid the toll roads. Don't always take the fastest route. Navigate by city/town directions, not road names.