BackPacker you are right, although technically it needs clarification.
All over France, an IFR flight may not descent below 3500ft without the ground in sight, unless on an instrument approach. You may land IFR at a VFR airfield, provided that you remain out of clouds and with the ground in sight continueously below 3500ft
You certainly may cancel IFR even if you don't see the ground, provided you are out of cloud, and provided that you know you can remain in VMC until landing.
If it's overcast at 3000 AMSL, even if it's perfectly flyable below, the EIR won't be of any use.
Most private pilots who fly for pleasure don't fly when the weather is not VFR at all, but enjoy their rating to fly above cloud without being worried about finding a hole in the cloud layer at destination.