Depends on where one is, HIDDY. I too have done a fair amount of loaded bike touring. Argentina - Chile averaged three punctures a day. Shouldn't be that much trouble in western Europe, though.

Depends on the type of bike Greg66 is taking, too. Touring bike tires are usually what, 85psi? Fairly easy to pump up with a simple hand pump. Road bike tires are a different matter -120 psi, a pretty good upper body workout if using that same pump. A couple of C02 bottles would be pretty useful.

I'd be astounded if C02 wasn't available in France, though, as cycling-mad as are the French.