Yes, go for those Mikey. Very nice looking and maybe you could add an upper deck to make an imperial caoch....hehe.
Apparently IP engineering have a new laser cutter and the current range of products are great improvement.
In answer to your request about plasticard in France.
It is difficult to get hold of except in smaller than A4 size.
There was an architectural model supplier in Paris near the Pompidou centre who did larger sheets of styrene but I have mislaid his details for the moment.