Nothing but an idiot has contempt for French soldiers. They’re probably the best military in all of Europe right now by far.
https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-listing.php
According to Global Firepower, France is not the best, nor 2nd, 3rd or 4th best in Europe. As for the strongest military in Europe, that would be Russia. Also ranked ahead of France are the UK, Turkey and Italy.
if you count Turkey as “Europe”, yes they are by far the biggest. But Italy and the Brits pale in comparison, quantitatively AND qualitatively. The UK has nothing like the combat power of France. Fewer tanks, arty tubes, ammo, you name it.
The Brits are the weakest they have been in the modern era.
The French have pretty much been in quiet but continuous combat operations in Africa for decades. Italy, dream on.
The French Army pretty much dominates what we think of as Europe. No, they aren’t Russia or Turkey. But they are not the weak military people pretend. Not even close.