Prefecture de police
Direction de la Circulation, des Transports et du Commerce.
Delivree conformement aux dispositions du Code de L'Aviation Civile (Art.D. 132-6 et de le l'arrete du Mai 6 1995 relatif aux Aerodromes et autres emplacements utilises par helicopteres.
In a nutshell:
Yes it takes a while to get.
Must be processed in Paris.
You may have to prove you have no criminal record.
Is valid for 10 years.
The basic concept is that you shall inform via fax prior to use of limited or unlicenced helisurfaces in addition to PPR from the owner and/or operator. Then when someone complains they already know who you are! Welcome to France. Do not operate without it unless you enjoy visits from the CRS. ( The questions come later types)
For assistance contact Nigel Watson Heli-Riviera - Brit located at LFMD.
http://www.heliriviera.com/ He did offer a service to obtain one for you.
Otherwise France is as helicopter friendly or more so than anywhere else. They have a large helicopter manufacturing industry as well so..........