We are leaving in a week for Provence, picking up car at Marseille airport and returning to Avignon TGV. I just called Auto Europe for info on a GPS system and was told that you can't get one if you are picking up and returning to different places. I don't know anything about GPS...can anyone help me and tell me if one I would buy here would work there and what brand should I consider? Thanks!

Hi-
We have used a Garmin Nuvi 660 and a 770 - both work great. They can easily be purchased in the US - we got ours on Amazon. A friend who lives in France really likes her Tom Tom. You can find them for around 200 euro in european airports - so you could buy one when you arrive.
Have a great trip-
Anne

Most of the GPS units sold in the U.S. include North American maps only. There are a few exceptions, however. The Garmin Nuvi 270 includes European maps as part of the base price. This has the smaller screen, so some might prefer the units with the bigger display, but I found it perfect for portability.

Be aware, the prices vary widely! The Garmin 270 was $400 at a local electronics superstore, I bought it for only $170 off of Amazon.com! It looks really nice for that price. I got it in only 2 days for $15 in shipping. I plan on taking it to Italy next week, and might use it for occasional portable use at home (I already have built in GPS in two cars, but not all). It has a nice touch screen, speaks the turns and directions for you (but only says "turn left in 100 meters", it doesn't pronounce "turn left on Via Appia" like some of the more expensive units.)

This site is wonderful, thank you both for the advice/information!

Hey! We leased a car from Peugot this summer and had GPS - we picked up in Lyon and returned in Paris. Ask again, maybe a different agent in a different mood...

BTW my husband is an ace with maps, but the car came w/GPS - we, especially HE, loved it!It made getting through cities a cinch!

Any Garmin model ending in 70 has European maps. The 770 has recently dropped below 400 on Amazon--or so I have read. Ours worked well in Italy, Switzerland and Croatia--as well as here in the US.

I just wanted to let you know that I followed Caf's lead and purchased the Garmin 270 on Amazon after seeing it at our local electronics store for $399. Thanks again to everyone....I know this will help keep a stress free or at least a low stress zone in the car!