It is an on going joke that France surrenders even before an enemy has given the declaration of war. But why is that? France surrendered after bitter fighting in WW2 and they got kicked out of Vietnam but there are lots of countries that have done worse in millitary conflicts. As an example my own country Denmark surrendered the same day as Germany invaded in 1940 (which was completly reasonable but France still but up a fight)
Is it the same kind of joke like: "pardon my French"? The British who mock their "friends" on the other side of the Channel?
This shouldn't preclude other answers, but you might start with u/alexistheman's very thorough answer to the question "Why do people say that the French always surrender? Have they really capitulated more than most nations?"