France tend to keep all their public holidays for May (Mai) .....
Carry ALL paperwork for pilot(s) and aircraft esp proof of VAT payment to avoid being impounded
Take any spare specialist lubes you need as France is the home of Eurocopter and asking for Bell certified products may offend and cause you to be impounded
Don't land off field (not even a little bit) unless you have the approved permit else you can get impounded
Make sure the charts are up to date (not usually impoundable)
Avoid military zones (get shot down and they will)
Caution 206 limits at higher altitudes
Get introduced to 'Olivia' ...
File flightplanes well in advance and get the timezone right
The gendarmes at Rodez are hot on paperwork
Avoid France on strike days (usually June but can be earlier in the year)
Speak a little French (usually prefixing all radio calls "Parlez-vous en Anglaise Si Vous Plaiz") and especially on the ground.
Avoid ladies in Cannes asking for lift to Monaco by helicopter (hookers)
Don't get tetchy with ATC (impound)
Don't get tetchy with police/ gendarmes/ army/ airforce/ navy/ customs (shot)
Don't get impounded
Bring back good Bordeaux et le fromage pur moi. Merci, a bientot. HR