Hi there,
Thanks for your reply.
Checked with the DVLA, advised you are not banned from driving in France (only southern ireland, gibralta, NI UK) and entitled to drive on the continent. Apparently they can fax an entitlement if need be. As French insurance insures the car and anyone with a licence (copy, fax from DVLA) is entitled to drive.
Still much easier not to DD in the first instance.