Upvote:1
I'm pretty certain your provisional licence does not have any validity anywhere outside of the UK. However, this site says you can rent without a licence if aged over 23.
This site allows you to rent a 50cc moped if aged over 20 but must have had a car licence for 2 years.
This site states:
to drive a 50cc scooter in France, the driver must be at least 18 years old. If the driver is born after 1988, he must be in possession of a current car driving licence. If the driver is born in 1988 or before, no driving licence is required.
Since you're doing a gap-year, it sounds like you might be too young to satisfy these conditions.