Thanks for responding, Jeri and for the links. I do use doctolib quite often, it's good for locating local specialists and they send reminders of upcoming appointments which is useful. I'l check the expatica link.

You raise an interesting point about French doctors not explaining--I hadn't thought about it, because I'm always asking questions anyway. I can see though that the tendency is just to prescribe whatever without much of an explanation. Other than that, the French system is very good--and definitely much more affordable than the US.