I've only done this in high water and it is a big chore to paddle upstream on French River.

If you do go, watch out for Baptism Creek - where it enters French River is not easy to see going upriver - it comes in kind of behind your right shoulder and unless you look back, it can be difficult to find.

Its been a long time since I've done that trip - in low water, I'd guess you might be hiking the river and towing your boat behind you - after Baptism Creek (or maybe it was on the creek ?) there was a mini lake in flooded timber caused by a beaver dam - if this pond still exists, it could be difficult mud slog if there isn't enough water to float your boat.

I would tend to believe the "it is very difficult to get there" advice and do it another time.

As the others have mentioned, Baptism Creek can be easily missed.  So, if you're not careful, you may find yourself en route to big Pickerel Lake.  Keep it slow, follow the southern shoreline of French very carefully as you proceed west, and you should be fine.

My trip through there was about 25 years ago in May.  It was only 2-3 days after ice-out and we were definitely crunching through some ice on the shady portages.  That was a particularly high water year so we had absolutely no "dragging" to do anywhere.  As I recall, even while partly submerged, the portages were not terribly difficult to find.

Now, some unsolicited advice should you be consider venturing a little further south, to Cache Lake. 

As MagicPaddler says, reaching Cache Lake (if that is where you are bound) is a long day journey from French Lake.  In fact, as you trudge the 2.5 mile portage towards the lake from Trousers, you will cross the Cache River (which bisects said portage).  In drier times, you can easily wade or, maybe, hop across this stream.  However, during high water times, it can be nearly three canoe lengths across and feature an impressive current.  Upon reaching this juncture AND looking at your map, you will notice that the Cache River eventually spills into Cache Lake.  BEWARE!  This revelation may tempt you and your party to simply load up your canoe(s) and ride the current to the lake, thus avoiding the last 1.5 miles of the muddy (and sometimes nasty) portage.  Canoe Canada Outfitters told me that somebody tries to do this shortcut about every 20-30 years.  Anyway, should you contemplate this adventurous notion, my words to the wise are: FORGET IT!!!

If double-portaging, my guess is that you can complete the entirety of the Cache Lake portage in 3-4 hours, depending upon conditions.  However, if you get suckered into the "Cache River shortcut", you can count on the effort taking 1-2 days... and THAT is if the water is up at record levels.  Somewhere in the stories section of this website the tale is told of the last party to attempt this shortcut.  Hmmm... come to think of it, that happened about 25 years ago.   With that in mind, I suppose it's about time for someone new to give it a shot.

If you are looking for "solitude", Cache Lake is the real deal.  On the other hand, if you are looking to take "solitude" up to the next (Robinson Crusoe) level - and you have a lot of extra time on your hands - have at it and try the shortcut... and be sure to let us know how that works out for you.

Best wishes on wherever your paddling takes you,

Jimbo