In terms of more recent stuff in a kind of revival-"chanson" type vein, Les Têtes Raides are really good; started off as quite a punk rock-y band in the late 80s, but since then have become a sort of accordion-circus-sounding band who are very fine IMO, with occasional brief diversions back into guitar stuff. I dunno what their most recent album's like, but my favourite is "Gratte Poil" which has been one of my most played albums since i got it a couple of years ago.
(here's a link to a youtube video of one of their songs:
)
Also, in a similar-ish vein (only ish)
Arthur H comes off like a French take on Tom Waits. He started off doing late night too-many-cigarettes jazzy songs about ghosts trying to commit suicide, blind people driving etc., & has moved through numerous different sounds since then but is fundamentally bloody good. Saw him play 3 songs live recently, & they seemed more guitar-y but I'm not sure if that's indicative of his current direction or just that gig.
(Also if you like the sound of les tetes raides, there are a number of other bands hanging out in the same musical area, eg. Les Ogres De Barback)
If you want some fun 80s french music,
Les Rita Mitsouko's "Le No Comprendo" is absolutely fantastic, &
Indochine's "L'aventurier" is also good)
