I think that mirrors @JoCo 's comment to express the request in some way they have no option - I just asked the ‘receptionist’ to cancel the tax code on the pension, as it had a DTT form lodged against the pension - she said immediately, I can’t do that I have to transfer you to the specialist!
Ah, apologies if you thought I was suggesting you ‘go it alone’ - I would or should have suggested you ask a tax inspector if you can, quoting the tax bulletin and if necessary running past the ‘circumstances’ and get it in writing, as there is provision for lump sum tax treatment following an 'early redemption of capital, the example cited in the tax bulletin I think was Swiss pensions.
And of course, opting for the phased withdrawal approach (extra 10% tax) does allow you to keep the remaining funds invested over the years - otherwise presumably you would pay French tax on the returns on the investment once withdrawn from the pension.
I presume you have also ruled out an annuity purchase, as you worked in the area you will know all the options for these!
The tax bulletin paragraph is 140 - (google translation given here, of course, as ever pursue the actual bulletin text if you are still interested…)
Case of early redemptions: Capital payments made following early redemptions of all or part of retirement savings in accordance with the regulations in force in the country considered may benefit from the levy if they are not exempt (BOI- RSA-PENS-20-10) and if a single payment is made in respect of the event causing the early release. In addition, these payments do not call into question the possibility of benefiting from the levy for subsequent payments in the event of a new early release or upon retirement. This is particularly the case for the release of all or part of the rights for the acquisition of the main residence provided for by certain foreign pension plans, which may benefit from the levy, all other conditions being met, and does not prevent the possibility of benefit from the levy again for the future. Likewise, a taxpayer who has liquidated part of his tax-free rights in advance pursuant to the provisions of the third to seventh paragraphs of Article L. 132-23 of the Insurance Code may subsequently under the same contract or pension plan, benefit from the discharge.
150 For each event enabling a buy-back, only one payment must be made. Thus, the early redemption of the retirement capital authorized by a foreign regulation from a certain age, without other conditions and at any time, can not benefit from the deduction, all other conditions being met, only if a single redemption is carried out relating to all rights. It does not apply if the buy-back is made in the form of partial installments spread over time.
Examples: a) A taxpayer requests the liquidation of all of his retirement rights in the form of capital under two separate additional pension plans. He can opt independently for the 7.5% levy for the taxation of the paid-up capital under one, the other or both pension plans. b) In January 2011, a taxpayer asked the Swiss complementary retirement institution (2nd pillar), for the purchase of his main residence, the advance payment of his retirement capital up to € 100,000. When he retires in September 2012, he receives the balance of his rights acquired in this pension plan in the form of capital, ie € 60,000. As soon as the payment for the principal residence and the payment for retirement are made for two separate events and each of the payments is not split, the taxpayer can request the benefit of the levy for each payment .