I was trying to think what it is that makes French bikes attractive to me while Japanese bikes hold no interest at all. Maybe it boils down to culture and your ability to identify with it. Sad though it is to admit, there is very little, apart from some Contax cameras, that I would want from Japan. I've no doubt that Japanese replicas are better built than the Singer and Herse originals but I'd take the last two every time over a better built bike from the Far East. I know a bit about and really like French culture whilst Japanese culture does very little for me. That's the only difference I can think of.
Bruce Dundee Scotland
P.S. Don't tell Bob Reid but I just pulled a 1954 Flying Scot with original Simplex rear derailleur, Benelux suicide front, lovely Brampton cottered chainset and Brooks Swallow from the local skip. The downside? There isn't a bit of paint left on the rusty frame and practically everything else is in the same condition! I'll only be able to save the frame, bars, stem, seatpost and chainset but who's complaining!