In France you have to file a flight plan even for a VFR flight so a FPL will always be in place.
Eh?? France AIP ENR 1.10 says quite clearly that a FPL is required for all IFR flights and only for VFR flights "requiring the air traffic control service". Even for the latter:
VFR flights subject to air traffic control service:
In the case a FPL is not required, an
abbreviated flight plan must be
issued as soon as possible before the ACFT enter within class B, C or
D airspace, or before performing traffic circuit of a controlled aerodrome
or prior to perform special VFR flight.
In other words for VFR it's just like the UK: you just talk to ATC.