Doubt it, they are likely trying to win favor with China after sending more boots to Ukraine which I imagine Xi gave Macron an earful about. France is always happy to say something that "goes against the grain" but then still fall in line when the rubber meets the road.

gonna be a long journey if that happens

Words are cheap. Especially words spoken by Western politicians. We should judge them by their actions.

Are they not still sending combat troops to Ukraine?