This is interesting, Todd's post is somehow dated October 11, 2009!
The french cups are a pain mainly because the 8-sided cup flange gives narrower flats which are so easily rounded off by an adjustable wrench (you'll need at least a 15" wrench with most brands, but some 12" wrenches like Diamond open to 38mm). Making matters worse, the corners are pre-rounded and there are no 8-sided sockets available. I have used my 18" adj wrench but not always able to loosen factory-installed Stronglight (Peugeot PX & PKN) fixed cups with it.
David Snyder
Auburn, CA usa
> From: Todd Grantham <wtgrantham@comcast.net>
\r?\n> Subject: [CR] French bottom bracket
\r?\n> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
\r?\n> Date: Sunday, October 11, 2009, 10:10 AM
\r?\n> Can someone tell me the tool I need
\r?\n> to remove the fixed or drive side cup on a French Bottom
\r?\n> Bracket? None of my bottom bracket tools are right and the
\r?\n> large crescent wrench isn't large enough either.
\r?\n> Thanks
\r?\n> Todd Grantham
\r?\n> Fort Wayne, IN USA