bar shaker is correct. I think maybe some pilots might need to re-visit air law or comms.
I think that this is one of those cases where you can either spout "air law" (which in this case has nothing to do with it) or consider the practicalities.
The fact is that even in the summer, you will die through relatively short exposure to the channel. Whatever you do, you need to make sure that when you have ditched, you are picked up as fast as possible. Nothing else matters.
The fact is that ditching near a ship (in front and to the side of its direction of travel) and getting yourself unambiguously painted on a secondary radar screen are invaluable. Similarly, the knowledge that of all the various authorities you might be talking to, Lille is the one with the helicopter at its immediate and direct beck-and-call; and the odds are that the helicopter concerned will be within 30nm of your position in the worst case.
This has bugger-all to do with air-law or CAPnnn, this has to do with the decision most likely to bring about your survival.
If you don't have 120.27 available (even on standby) as you get towards the French side of the channel, perhaps you should give it serious consideration. They are NOTAMed as not talking to VFR traffic at the moment - but don't let that deter you. from having the frequency tuned.
2D