Originally Posted by HobbesOnTour

OSMand is an app that you can use for navigation on- and off-line.
To use it offline you need to download the maps in advance. I think the first 5 or 6 are free, or you can pay a relatively small fee and download all maps for free after that. You can select different map types including specific cycling routes.

You can navigate off-line on the fly and also use it to create gpx files to transfer to a navigation device if you need it.

It also has a POI search function, although that varies from place to place in terms of quality.

To date, I've only used this app as an emergency get me to where I need to be thing. But it has worked every time.

Cycling to France or in France? France has a lot of well sign-posted long distance cycling routes. And lots of rural roads very suitable for cycling. Lots of towns have tourist information (when they're open!) and it's easy to pick up local maps for free that will show you everything you need to know.

Google maps is hit and miss for cycling, but as mentioned above look at the filter options (highways etc.) to make it more usable. Sometimes, I'll search an area for campsites, as an example, mark them as favourites, download the area as an offline map and then I can navigate to them off line. I still prefer OSMand for navigation, though. Google is just easier for searching.

France is great! Enjoy!

Frank