Iphigénie | The Hiking Map App for Android

I paid for the renewal, still no access. ....sad and frustrating

After MotionX Drive failed to load local maps in France due to a (permanent) network error, I switched to this app as a navigation aid. Pleased with the ability to see where we were and where we were going, especially on country roads in the middle of Normandy. We even got (briefly) on a farm track that was mapped as a country road. (It was), but we knew how to route around. For most travelers, the ability to pre-load any level of map detail via WiFi will keep your France data downloads to a minimum, and save huge amounts of money on a one or two week trip. The Mobile ability to zoom out and then zoom in to the 200 meter level is great and much appreciated. My wife the Navigator liked this app so much she wants an Mobile. Note: the tracking and planning features are rudimentary. And you'll have to pay for a map update subscription after a few months, so one strategy would be to buy/install the month of your trip. Overall, I would use MotionX Drive if it worked in France as it has turn-by-turn voice instructions. Bon voyage!

Ok, so obviously several reviews are in English and the lack of English documentation is an issue they should address eventually. But as it is--for me at least--things speak for themselves! It's maps, people: you zoom in and out and back and forth and voila, all of France is on your device. I'm currently one month into a year-long hiking journey in France and the $16 price has paid for itself dozens of times over (each IGN map, printed, is not only cumbersome and heavy, but quite expensive) already. The GR trails are extensively mapped and nearly *every* feature is named and displayed, from the Louvre to ramshackle outhouses in Provence. The trail blazes themselves are sometimes sparse and less than perfect; it is then that this app is worth its electronic weight in gold. DO YOUR RESEARCH to determine if it's the right app for you, and take advantage of the English section on their website's forum BEFORE you buy. Do that, and I promise you'll thank your lucky etoiles for this app every day.

This app, being free and utterly simple seems at first another insignificant free app. BUT in action traveling throughout several regions including around Paris this app is an amazing tool. With a 3G or MiFi based wifi connection and using the GPS-equipped Mobile, one can access detailed roadmaps without unfolding the very large, expensive and diabolically folded road maps common sold in France in the front seat, cutting off the driver's view and generally causing nervousness in the midst of trying not to miss still ANOTHER exit or a haphazardly posted road sign. Instead you can quickly access your region, your route itself, and expand to incredible detail or get a regional view. Plus, you location is shown by a little icon that is animated and not too small but not too big to be distracting. Get this if you plan to travel in France by car and by the time you will be there will be micro SIMs you can pop in and you've got a mobile stack of French roadmaps for free (right now). Saved us at least twice from being lost or ending up on the wrong auto route, which in France is a costly (literally) mistake.

The price is extremely good value and the maps supported are excellent and up to date, but the interface is cryptic. The support documentation is all in French. So, unless you have a pretty good grasp of French, be warned. I downloaded a section of maps for the Dordogne region, for off-line use to avoid data rates, taking up a lot of space on my Mobile, but I have no idea how to delete them, after I return from holiday and no longer need them. Okay, this is French mapping program, but get real, many English-only speaking people travel to la belle France and would enjoy this app. I'd give it five stars, if it had English documentation.