Any foreign airline foods are better than the domestic airlines. Services generally are better as well. We had more than a few occasions if not for airlines agents looking for us, we would have missed our connections due to either plane delay or immigration delay. All happened with Asian airlines.
I agree with you - France, Italy and Spain are our favorite countries in Europe. One area in France we would like to explore leisurely by driving is Loire Valley.
In our future plan would be a 3 to 4 weeks, lease a car from Renault and just roam the Continent. But each time when I think of the price of gas, I could not think further the plan. LOL.