Thanks for the replies..
To get unfrozen needs 1500hrs TT and 500hrs multi crew. This latter part requires the airline seat!!
khaosanroad, yes I heard something along those lines too but didn't know about the time frame. Is your licence JAR or French CAA?
The reason I ask.. I didn't receive a frozen ATPL 'certificate', I have the blue licence holder containing details of CPL and IR and MCC and all that jazz.
I think it's the same for all the other Brits too