driving in France, compared to Italy

The National Speed limits are different. The speed limit cameras are different, especially the tall cylindrical ones with space ship windows at different heights. The tolls are much higher and different companies operate different parts of the network. The distances are longer. The Aires are different, not to say about the toilets which have virtually all been visited by the toilet seat thieves (actually built that way) and the thrilling holes in the floor squat type...

But pretty much the same. Oh, and the trucks often avoid the Autoroutes - too expensive - preferring N and D roads.

I'd say that overall, driving in France is a bit more straightforward than Italy: excellent directional signage, wider lanes on average (varies across regions, Provence has narrow roads), slightly less aggressive driving (on par with N Italy, but better than central/southern), no ZTL.
Being French, I might be biased.
But no big difference overall, besides what Nigel mentioned.

We have only driven in Brittany & Normandy. We carefully followed the speed limits and did not receive any tickets in the mail from speed cameras. Italy has ZTL areas where you can't drive, we didn't encounter anything similar in France. At times (such as when we were around Honfleur) there seemed to be no alternative to pay roads and bridges. I suggest looking up the images for the various lanes because some lanes only accept a toll pass, you want ones that take credit cards or cash/coins.

I picked up our rental car in Caen today and drove to Bayeux. I didn't find it difficult. But we had Google maps to help us get around. All I can say is it is much easier that driving in the UK!