France has a long history of military success and friendship with the United States (along with some significant failures).
Clovis I, circa 500 AD, unified the Frankish nation which included most of Western Europe.
Charles Martell (Charles the Hammer) defeated a huge Arab army at the battle of Tours in 732 and probably saved all of Europe from coming under Islamic control.
Charlemagne (Charles the Great), the grandson of Charles Martell, subdued the Saxons and the Bavarians and pushed his frontier into Spain. He expanded his kingdom into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. Upon his death, his empire was divided into France and Germany plus smaller countries.
Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, served as a major-general in the Continental Army under George Washington. In the middle of the war, he returned to France to negotiate an increase in French support. On his return, he blocked troops led by Cornwallis at Yorktown.
The French Navy, blocked the British navy and prevented the escape of Lord Cornwallis army at Yorktown. The French Navy allowed General George Washington to defeat Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. Without French assistance, the American Revolution might have had a different ending.
Napoleon was one of the greatest generals and organizers that ever lived. Although defeated, his tactics were used by both sides during the American Civil War. He loved his cannons.
Germany attacked France at the beginning of World War I the German plan was to drive through Belgium and quickly defeats the French. The French and British stopped the German advance and WW I became a meat grinder of trench warfare. The loss of life by the French, British and German armies was appalling. The entry of the United States into WW I tipped the balance in favor of the Allies.
After WW I, the French built massive fortifications along their border (the Maginot Line) to prevent a repeat German invasion. Due to cost and political considerations, the Maginot Line was not extended to the Atlantic and the Germans simply went around the end of the Maginot Line. Also, the advent of air power rendered fixed fortifications, less effective.
The massive loss of life during WW I caused the French and British to be cautious and conservative. The German blitzkrieg conquered all of France in a matter of weeks as the French leaders sought to fight the invading Germans with WW I tactics. England held out against the German offensives due to the strength of its navy and air force, and its development of RADAR. The entry of the United States into WW II saved the British and French.
After the war, Charles De Gaulle became Primer of France. His view of the world, known as Gaullism, was that France should continue to see itself as a major power and should not rely on other countries, such as the United States, for its national security and prosperity. He withdrew France from NATO military command.
I served with some French officers during the 1960's at a Transportation Corps training command. They disliked De Galle and, in social settings, said that they were from South Africa.
IMO, relations with France have been difficult but might be improving. We should be grateful for France's assistance during the American Revolution.
Ed Ward