I just came back from a month of soaring in France myself, and I can't
wait to go back! I went to Fayence, but I know that is too far for
you. If you hope to fly without an instructor, you must first get a
permit from the French government. This technically only takes about
one month, but that assumes that you send them everything they need on
the first try, and they only correspond through regular mail. It was
worth the hassle for me, and I got to do some great soaring in
Provence! Wherever you choose to go soar, ask them for help in getting
your French Pilot Permit. Bon Voyage!

-Chris