Paperasse is a pejorative word which refers to the masses of impenetrable paperwork that must be completed in France whenever you have any interaction with a state organisation or function. This is the third lot of official forms that I've had to complete (in triplicate) to renew my Driving Licence... and each copy has to have an officially approved photograph of me attached to it with double-sided tape. This particular batch relate to the medical examination I had to undergo today - these are half the forms, the doctor deals with the other half!