Michelin Motorway Atlas of France Map No. 914 (Michelin Maps & Atlases) [Paperback]

Michelin Travel Publications (Author), Pneu Michelin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1999 | Series: Michelin France de Autoroutes Atlas

Covering France at a scale of 1:1,000,000, this motorways atlas is one of the Michelin "Main Road Maps", with updated information for motorists. Scenic routes are indicated by green borders along the lines of the roads.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: French, Dutch, English, German

Product Details

• Paperback: 166 pages
• Publisher: Michelin Travel Publications (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2067009141
• ISBN-13: 978-2067009141
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 4.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,590,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Successful Superhighway Sessions, January 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Michelin Motorway Atlas of France Map No. 914 (Michelin Maps & Atlases) (Paperback)

Unlike most atlases, this does not show the area of France; instead, it maps each strip of superhighway in France, with every bit of useful information for a motorist. It is a paperback about 4" x 10", and is revised every two years.

Since there is nothing like this published for US highways, let's visualize, for example, that we are driving from Geneva to Macon along the Autoroute-40. So we turn to the A-40 page. The highway is shown as a colorful, meandering strip along the center of the page. Each page covers a 50-km strip of autoroute.

We enter at interchange #13. Since we are eastbound, we will read along the right-hand side of the page for the features along the way (if we were westbound, we would read along the left-hand side). We see that there is a tollgate in 5 km, so we consult the table in back to get our change ready. At 11 km, the Valleiry rest area will have spectacular views, along with gas (BP brand), a restaurant, and a hotel, but we decide to press on to the Les Neyrolles rest area, which will have picnic tables and an ATM. We will then watch for the A-42 interchange, which will be 21 km after exit #8, where we will turn off to Lyon. We will see this exact sign over the road: "Port d'Ain. SATOLAS AEROPORT. LYON." (If we were westbound, we would see: "TURIN. GRENOBLE. CHAMBERY. LYON").

Next we turn to page A-42, and follow it into Lyon. Traffic is wild and crazy in Lyon, but we plot an Autoroute through it (there are several) using the detailed city map on page 38, where we will follow along knowing exactly where the splits will occur, each and every overhead sign, and whether they exit left or right.

For each intersecting road the atlas tells whether you can exit or enter or both. It also shows roads that parallel the highway, for a bit of local color. Finally, if there are "Regional Products" boutiques in rest plazas they will be shown; these are not to be missed and are an excellent source of superior wines, cheeses, and artisan specialties which are often not available outside the region.

In summary, if you are transiting several hours of France by car, forget about using a folded map. This essential four-language stress-relieving atlas is vastly more informative and easier to use. A detailed folded map should only be used after arrival at your destination(s).

PS: See also the Marling Menu-Master for France. It is equally essential for navigating and deciphering the menus of restaurants in France.

Update to the review of Jan 2001 (revised 12-2006):

This title appears to have gone out of print. I was purchasing it in France every two years, but the 2001 edition (shown on the back cover) is the latest I have found, even after searching diligently in France over the past few years. [The 2001 edition would be the 27th edition if it followed the numbering scheme of the prior editions]

Another title of this genre which I recently found is "Le Guide" by Karol Libura (subtitle: Selected Autoroutes France). It is a British paperback of the same size. It is for sale on Amazon.com (search key: Karol Libura).

It is remarkably similar, although it doesn't cover all autoroutes in France--just the most heavily travelled. I will add additional information under that title. By D. Chambers.