Hi SWK,

If renting an aircraft in France gives you too much trouble maybe look
a bit further north.
From Paris it is about a 1.5~2 hour drive to Belgium.
Here is a website with aeroclubs in Belgium:
http://www.raac.be/GA_BE.php
I think you can best try Kortrijk first.

If you really do not mind driving go further north for 2 more hours and
you are in The Netherlands.
We have some schools that also rent out aircraft.

Good luck,
Kees