I have sort of a convoluted situation. I am an American and I received a J.D from University of Western Ontario in Canada. I also did a joint LL.B in Civil Law with L'Université Laval in Québec.

Based on that, how much harder would it be to practice in France?

Your best bet will be to be admitted to le Barreau du Quebec (if you are already member of a law society in Canada, it should be easy). Then, you apply to a Barreau in France. There is only an oral examination to pass since there is an agreement between Barreau du Quebec and the French National Bar Council to practice in either jurisdiction. Bonne chance ! See: http://www.barreau.qc.ca/pdf/formulaires/avocats/mobilite/arm/arm-echanges.pdf

That is great news! I had assumed that there would be some agreement in place between the governing institutions in Québec and in France. I am delighted to know that this path is open to me. Deciding to do a degree in both systems of law and in both languages has really been an experience for me.

Now I just need to hammer out the immigration/work visa issues. That's another story.