My preference for vintage road bikes are - Canadian, Italian and then French, however...

As others have commented, French bikes, be they entry level steeds, like the ubiquitous Peugeot UO8...


or top dogs, like the PX10, tend to offer really nice ride feel...



And, for what it is worth, this applies to every French bike I have owned, built and ridden. As for the eye candy thing. I think French bikes have managed to capture the vintage look with aplomb...