It's only partially true. In cities and towns, the speed limit is monitored and you could very well end up with a contravention (ticket) if you're not careful. Out on the AutoRoute (expressway) it's another story; every driver is out for him or herself and if you are not keeping up with the flow of traffic, there will be a long line of angry drivers "biting at you like trout" as my driving instructor put it.
One of my French friends, Michel, has run a driving school for many years, catering to Americans and other English speakers. He even teaches the courses and supplies handbooks in English. Fehrenbach Driving School is even named in English.
Imagine arriving at Charles de Gaulle airport from the U.S. Renting a car is no problem; your American license is valid for the first full year of your residence. So now you're cruising on the AutoRoute headed for the city of lights. You're a good driver, never going more than a couple miles over the speed limit. You may even have taken the precaution to stay in the right-hand lane. As you get closer to the city, French scooters zigzagging in and out of traffic may surprise you. They cut in and out, between lanes and it's legal. Welcome to Paris.
In town, keep your foot a couple of centimeters above the brake pedal and don't hesitate to use it. You will need it because in France you do not have the right of way when driving through town. You heard right. That "jerk" that just pulled out in front of you from the right without (it seems) even looking to see how close you were has the right of way. It's called "Priority à Droite" (priority to the right) It doesn't matter that you are on the main road or that he was at a dead stop before deciding to meander out into traffic. Hit his car and you will be at fault.
Learn the rules, drive the French way and you may be saving a couple of lives including your own. A good place to start is with a codebook. Know the road signs, how to maneuver around a "roundabout" (rond point) and be ready to brake.
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