Ive been to france twice now and used the stick on circles, pile of pants as said, you still get flashed, so yes turn the light beams down.
if anything they save you getting a tug by the cops, as this is one of the reasons to pull you over, as they want payment on the spot.
so worth banging them on,
things i took, A high vis vest per passenger, tri-angle, spare bulbs, GB sticker or euro plates, all car docs, and a spare car key
(zip/tie wrapped in secret place) in case you loose it.
bill