Renault...they had more than their share of disastrous diesel engines, but they are so widespread here that parts are cheap and any mechanic can deal with them. Gas engine are usually decent, and most car have good handling.
As for the styling, I'm not a fan...maybe because they are so widespread they became boring?
Well to me they are like Hyundai. Very aggressive marketing, new cars available fast, cheap parts easy to get...mostly reliable, but boring. Probably the reason why they are so widespread here...
They used to produce great cars, like the Renault 25 (my Grandfather had one), or maybe the Safrane (which was plagued by electronic reliability issues but had some interesting Volvo and Hartge prepared engines). I also remember vividly a Primaquatre sport from the 30's that my uncle had as a collector...surprisingly springy for its age!
Regarding the Talisman, I rented one when it was all new. Very nice, but broke down after ~200Km. I guess French don't know how to do reliable electronics...or they launch their car too early (remember the Citroën XM/Peugeot 605) ?