Kevin, I agree with everything you have written. Nice pics too btw!
Perhaps another couple of differences with the Frances:
1 Booking ahead. It's a good idea on the Voie du Puy to know where you are going to stay each night, and to warn the host at least a few hours before. Or you might not get any lovely dinner!
2 Busy times of year. The French tend to walk in late April and all May because they can bridge between public holidays. July/August are less popular, because the French head for the beach then! (Massive generalisation but roughly true.)