The French have been on a break since Wellington sent them home in 1814.
I've served with the Royal Marines on several occasions and many of our traditionas are derived from them.
The French have certainly had terrible generals since then. I was watching a documentary about World War I last night - the sheer number of times I winced due to statements by French generals was so great I lost count. Marshal Joffre, for example, thought soldiers and bayonets, combined with rapid troop movements, was a sufficient answer to German artillery - and remember, they had the "Big Berthas".
No. It's no wonder France bled to death during that war.
Regards, Ivan