The subject of French "constructeur" bikes is enough to tempt me out from lurkerdom.
The only frame I own in this category is a c. 1980-1 Gilles Berthoud racing machine I purchased on eBay (France) from Alex M. in September 2007 for what I felt was an astonishing (and frankly insulting) price of $225. Why this didn't attract more is a headscratcher to me, not that I am complaining, but I suspect no one could get their head around a bespoke French racing frame rather than randonneur one. I certainly haven't seen one since and indeed Berthoud, still very much in business, now makes nothing but and seems more famous for his bags than his bikes. This must be one of his earlier efforts.
Ignorant of whether this "rises to the top", all I can say is that I don't own a nicer machine than this. From her nicely filed chromed lugs to her almost too shy markings (I wished she at least had a headbadge!), all the work went into the design and brazing I guess. It is quite and utterly the lightest, most superb riding machine I own. I am not sure why but I find this "lightness" a feature entirely unique to French bikes which has less to do with actual weight than to a subtle and delightful feel. As I orignally fitted her out, she weighed in at 20 lbs but I am in the middle of fitting a new "super legere" component mix:: Huret Jubilee, Stronglight 105bis chainset, Ideale 90 titanium saddle, CLB brakeset, Mavic Argent 7 rims etc. which should get shave a 1/2 pound off. The frame is Vitus 971 so this is a 100 per cent French machine save for the Czech Tufo sew-ups.
Anyway that's my contribution to this genre. I don't think it's possible to build a nicer bicycle, but what do I know?. Photos, etc, are here for those interested:
Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA