I must admit, both of my late 1940's French cycles wheels are still true, despite both being 'mid range'? they are also both fitted with butted spokes -the ones with little stars on the spoke heads....the only problem being the chrome/nickel has fallen off the rims despite the fact that both cycles spent most if not all their lives in the south of France...one came from Roger Caro cycles Le Mans....no doubt the French could build wheels ...in fact mechanically i cannot remember ever having a French component fail cycle /car or anything else BUT their chroming /plating DOES leave a lot to be desired certainly in the 40's-50's.
steve chambers
chesterfield
england