Originally Posted by
axolotl
MAPS.ME is a good, free app for maps in France and elsewhere. After you download the app, you'll need to download mapping data for each French "departement" where you expect to be. I was biking in France last month, and I used maps.me to supplement IGN & Michelin maps, both of which have a wealth of information as well as offering the ease of viewing the big picture which mapping apps lack.
I have used maps.me on an android phone and have the same opinion as axo, it worked perfectly well with the gps unit on my phone and to be able to pinpoint exactly where you are if needed.
I did not use it for actual routing, but just as another resource in addition to paper maps, which are still nice to have.
in France generally, not having turn by turn mapping is not an issue from my experience doing bike trips there. Usually its a matter of "following D19 to Rougeville, then taking D32 to Bleusville" sort of thing, so not complicated. Throw in an occasional "turn on phone to see where you are in a town" lets say, and it should be fine if you have reasonable personal map and position awareness.