https://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/france/riviera/moving/residency
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/france/45994/acs/parisofficialstay.pdf
http://ielanguages.com/cds.html
1-yr max driving on a non-EU license:
http://franceintheus.org/spip.php?article376
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1459
France has an agreement with 18 U.S. states allowing for driver's license exchange -- neither NY or CA has an agreement. The only option is to take 20 hours of driving classes and pass the driving test in France (you're looking at around spending €2k):
http://questions.assemblee-nationale.fr/q14/14-47718QE.htm
Info on driving classes/test:
http://www.completefrance.com/home/news/guide-to-the-french-driving-test-1-4167060
http://ielanguages.com/license.html
Basically, in France if you want to apply for a house mortgage, you only need to provide your tax returns for the last 3 years or last 3 months of payslips + bank statements:
https://creditdebtandinsolvency.wordpress.com/2014/04/21/no-positive-credit-reporting-in-france/
http://www.completefrance.com/french-property/mortgages/credit-checks-in-france-1-1515796
In order of popularity/activity (best first)
Le Bon Coin ("the right corner")
Paru Vendu ("seen, sold")
Entre Particuliers ("between individuals")
For property rentals and sales, besides the classified ad websites above, these sites specialize in property:
Particulier à particulier: private sales -- no agency ads!
FNAIM: association of real estate agencies -- serves as a portal for all the ads of associated agencies
A little blurb about baguettes and croissants.