The monetary unit is French francs, too. About 80-cents US when last in play prior to the intro of the €.

Are you sure about that? The French franc was pegged at €1 = 6.55957 FRF while both currencies were legal tender. If 1 FR was worth 0.80 USD that would make 1€ over 5 USD. I'm skeptical, to say the least.

Perhaps you are thinking of Swiss francs?