These maps are recommended for cycling. While they don't have every minor road on the map, they are well produced.
For driving I would recommend these. Roads on scenic routes are clearly marked, some idea of relief is given by shading, national parks are labelled, and there is a city map with it too (Marseille in this case).
For cycling these are fantastic as a backup and for seeing the full map, being just the right size and a good level of detail when required. But for the really nice quiet backroads you'll need something else, as some aren't on these maps.
My recommendation for cyclists: buy these, they are invaluable for route planning (to see the big picture) and as an emergency backup. But for deciding minor route details I would suggest, if you have the cash, getting Memory Map software from Ordnance survey, the IGN Top25 maps , then taking them with you on a GPS device (it will install onto smartphones, PDAs, pocket PCs and of course Garmin etc GPS devices).
They hold together well too. Lasted weeks of cycling mixed with all sorts of leaky stuff in pannier bags and are still in one piece!