While manufacturing's been on a downwards trend during the recession, almost 20% of France's GDP comes from manufacturing - greater than USA or UK - similar to Germany and Japan.
Maybe, but what kind of manufacturing are we talking about, and how much is really privately-owned and not state-owned or state-subsidized? That is the real question to determine if it is comparable with US or Japan for that matter.
I don't live in France, but I use Tefal frying pan, which is said to be manufactured in France.