Yeah, but you know what it would take for them to acknowledge it. They'd essentially have to repudiate most of their history since the French revolution.
Absolutely right. They'd even have to go back to the 100 years war IMO.
No, only since the 1920's. When Paris was beseiged by the Germans in 1870, Parisians let themselves be reduced to eating rats, rather than give in. They fought with great courage during WWI--the lists on war memorials, even in very small towns,are heartbreakingly long. When they ran out of transport to bring troops to the Battle of the Marne, the Army commandered the taxis of Paris to get troops to the front. (Take note, Mayor Nagin). But they lost their best and bravest, and the survivors have shamed them.