Gitane forks can vary - I had one TdF several years ago that could not accomodate 27-in wheels with 1-in tires. On the other hand, my slightly later TdF allows a nice mid-slot brakepad placement with Weinmann 500s, as seen here -

[IMG]IMG_3571_zpsglfomddv by Russ Fitzgerald, on Flickr[/IMG]

- and I will echo non-fixie - there is just something special about Gitanes from this era, especially the Super Corsas and TdFs. Every time I sold one I regretted it later, so much so that this battered specimen converted to fixed-gear is a keeper, period.

My first TdF, which had the centerpull hanger bridge like these but came stock with a Sugino Mighty crankset, had stock Mafac Competitions. I don't remember what the brake reach was like, though.

If you have not read this yet, Chas. Colerich, aka verktyg, posted this helpful information on the gitaneusa.com site in the vintage forum there.