WHICH French “government” (and I use the term loosely) claims it?
Monarchy?
Empire?
Restored Monarachy?
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Republic?
Vichy?
Free French?
5th Column-—I mean Republic?
Quebequios?
The ship was owned by the French State under the Monarchy of Louis XIV. The State in France is viewed as a continuous entity from Monarchy to Veme Republique.
Would Maritime Law apply to these waters?
I say let whomever will pay to raise it, preserve it, and place a museum around it, claim it.