StCirq

Well, if it makes you feel better, I live in France and never carry my passport around with me unless I have to go to some official meeting or other, - it's always at my house - and I'm sure if I had some run-in with a gendarme I could get a 24-hour release to show up with it or whatever. Just thought I'd let you know what the actual law is. Law and practice are often different in France. But yes, it depends on the actual person you encounter

Yes, you'll need it to exchange money, for any official transactions, etc., but probably not elsewhere. Do have a copy, though. And do see if you can get your family members to practice taking care of their own important posessions. My best friend, though a brilliant scientist, seems to live in la-la-land when visiting Europe, and a couple of times I have had to talk her out of situations where she was just kind of oblivious to local customs and didn't have the right ID, etc. We call her Oblivia.

Yes, it's better to wait in one long line than two, of course!