I have one suggestion, i got inspired by recent work on alternate history path for Germany where empire is re-established after civil war.
Couple days ago mod for HoI2 Shadow of Napoleon is re-uploaded by
hammerfalls. link:
https://ufile.io/37cce
In this alternate history mod, in the year 1935. French conservatives and ultranationalists led by Pierre Laval and Charles De Gaulle take power in France, at the start of scenario in 1936. French Civil War break out between Government and Communists. After (if) Government win massive financing of military industry starts. Military implements French version of blitzkrieg made by De Gaulle. Plan is to rebuild Napoleons hegemony over Europe. France intervene directly in Spanish Civil War on side of Nacionalist Spain. Then France allies with Italy and demand/claims Belgium (part because passiveness of N.Chamberlain). Anschluss of Austria cause France and Italy to declare war on Germany (In this timeline Fascists consider German Nazism to extreme), Poland joins Axis Paris-Rome-Madrid. After (possible) victory and partition of Germany G.Britain starts aggressive campaign against French hegemony. Czechoslovakia joins Axis. At the start of 1940. French claims on Rotterdam and Eindhoven cause war between France and G.Britain. After victory in Winter War USSR put pressure on Baltic states and Poland which cause war between Axis and USSR... Also there could be internal French question about restoration of Bonapartiste or keeping the republic.
This is how the things play out in Shadow of Napoleon HoI2 mod and i think this have potential to be implemented (in some way) as alternate path for France in Peace without Victory.