We might not have the image of the Ivy League and thus lose Nobel prices in the statistics, but I'd say it's a good thing we're not participating in the anglo-american tradition of elitism. We have our places of excellency but it's not as easy as "this university". It may be one specific field at one university, one research group, an institute that's excelling etc.
No idea about the international angle, but France is famous for its highly elitist system of Grandes Ecoles covering everything from public services and administration and engineering. With my limited contact with French engineers, I have yet to see a quality difference between the people. Grand Ecole grads have a guarantee on a fast tracked career so.
