You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
alternatehistory.com
Now, you and I know that France has consistently produced armed forces as great as any in the world. They won the 100 Years War, defended themselves in the Revolutionary Wars from most of Europe, unleashed Napoleon, beat the Russians in the Crimean War (with the help of the British, Turks, et al), wobbled a bit against Prussia in 1870-71 (but then again, who didn't?), and generally did pretty well. They even fought well for most of World War 1, excluding their mutiny and early offensives. (Verdun, anyone?) The Foreign Legion has remained in the gallery of military units the average person respects for their general toughness.
It all fell down, of course, at world war 2. Then Indo-China. And Algeria. And...