GPS reccomendations

Can either pick up a Garmin with European maps on Amazon, or you might check your smart phone service provider to see if it would be cheaper just to buy an international data package for the time you're there...and then just use the map feature on that.

Great thoughts. Thanks. I did peek a bit at Amazon but was unsure if it covered the Provence region. In any case it sounds like whichever way I go, it doesn't make sense to get the gps from the rental car co....?

No, never from the rental company unless they comp it as part of an upgrade.

I'll amend that: For a 2 week rental it might actually be cost-effective. I was thinking something longer. Best to check with the company and compare.

OK, in light of this, do you think it just might be better to go with the Amazon purchase? If so, I have seen a gps that covers Benelux, but not sure if it covers Provence. Of course this is the tough thing with Amazon. I have no way of knowing for sure until I receive it. Do you or anyone know if the Garmin app covers Provence?

The European maps are pretty inclusive. The Garmin I bought for a trip to Ireland about 18 months ago had every cow path and address in the country. Helped to become familiar with it before we left too. Thing is, for the price of one on Amazon it might well be cheaper to just rent one with your vehicle for 2 weeks.
If you have a smart phone the cheapest option of all might be to purchase an international data package. Believe they can be had for approx. $60 per month.

I think GPS is a good idea for an extended road trip like yours -- along with a good map like Michelin. I use one here, and a few years ago bought a European map for it, covering the whole continent as far as I know, certainly all of France. Any GPS you buy here will have a US, or US-Canada, map, and the option to buy a Europe map if it isn't already installed. I wouldn't hesitate to use Amazon if the description makes clear what you're getting, or try an electronics store like Best Buy. The best-known brands are Garmin and Tom Tom, which have their fans on this board. I like my Magellan too.

Whether to buy or rent is an economic choice you can make. For me, buying made sense since I use it on road trips here as well as in Europe.

I've made two trips driving in France and Italy and I'm convinced a stand alone GPS is the way to go. Bring it with you and practice using it at home in familiar surroundings. Using your phone on data will be expensive and won't work in rural places where the dedicated GPS unit will continue to work. I have always had Garmins so that is my preference but the Tom Tom always gets good reviews. There are so many models that I can't give an exact recommendation other than look for street by street directions with spoken street names. Buying a unit for your trip will be money well spent and you can sell it on Ebay when you return unles you find yourself using it back home.

Look at Sygic for your smartphone (assuming you have one). You download the maps at home and then use your phone's inbuilt GPS when in France. No data connection required once you have downloaded the maps initially. Also very handy when you are on foot and you need to navigate.

We got a used TomTom with french maps on eBay for $35.

I use my garmin and it had all the maps I needed for Provence, I did have to purchase the maps for France , but I had been there numerous times before with only a paper map. Signage is good. I would never rent one, just bring one you are already familiar with.

Maps with me can be put into your smartphone or iPad and will not use data once you have downloaded your specific area. Be sure you are not using data while in Europe... $$$

http://m.ebay.com/itm/TomTom-ONE-2015-EUROPE-MAPS-Italy-U-K-IRELAND-FRANCE-MAPS-/191768286862?nav=SEARCH