However, at risk of having this thread drift, as the subject is regarding breakdown cover in France, my own experience with the AA in the UK has been excellent. Just before Christmas, my wife had to call the AA to help start her VW Up! away from home. The patrolman arrived in 20 minutes and quickly, correctly diagnosed a pretty obscure fault (malfunctioning temperature sensor not enriching the start mixture), escorted her to our VW dealer, ensured that they accepted the car for repair and then took her back to our house - fantastic service!

After many years as a fully paid up AA member, we now get the service free through our bank account.

We've not been unlucky enough to need help outside the UK, so I can't comment on that score.