Yeah, I had one of those leg lights in the 70s. 2 c cells....worthless to light the road. Red up and down movement was just ok for the rear.
Best thing about it was I usually turned it off so the drunks wouldn't follow the the light.
Seems as though really late at night it was better to have no light, than a drunk following a light.
Usually used it so the cops wouldn't stop me for not having a light.
I wouldn't call them French.