I've never heard of Frances intermediate achievements in University. That's great! I think one of the best things that can happen is someone not finding usefulness and meaning in their studies, deciding to work for a few years and then see how learning more would help and go back to University with a internal motivation that's truly driven by curiosity and a desire to get better. Most systems seem to discourage that. In the US most of the additional salary from studying at University comes from actually getting the degree. It's clearly all about signaling and not learning. This seems like a great step in a better direction.

Yes. When I moved there I had to convert my BS into the French equivalent. A 4-year BS == Bac+3. They also have various vocational and technical degrees that don’t have a US equivalent, like sommelier or vintner.

I wouldn’t necessarily call it better. I have friends who have taken 8+ years to get their Bac+3. The lower tier universities have capacity issues. The class you need may be full and can take years to enroll. Also, with no motivation to pass students you are truly in your own. Things like office hours, tutors, study labs, and the library not being open late like we have in the US. These are surprisingly uncommon in France.