Bowman,
Since many French guns are "guild guns" of unknown manufacture they typically don't carry the higher price tags that a similar quality British, German or Belgium might carry. Most French guns I've seen are very well made, very light weight, way over-choked XXF/XF are not all that uncommon. The barrel length is metric, so if you measure it, don't expect a round number in inches. I'm a big fan of French guns.
Steve

Approach life like you do a yellow light - RUN IT! (Gail T.)