I may live in France, but I am English too. A simple white cottage loaf is great, that is indisputable. However the availability is laughable.
When I lived in Portsmouth, there were 2 bakeries on the whole island. 2!! in my little town here we have 4 artisan bakers, plus 3 supermarkets that all sell really good bread. Just round the corner from my house there is a farm that sells bread (made completely in house) every Friday afternoon and people take the afternoon off work and drive 2 hours to buy it.
French bread wins hands down.
However I agree with you on one thing: I love bread!