I don't think the French would be in the least bit bothered if you were VMC on top or indeed if you flew in 1500 metres vis. This illustrates how badly worded the UK ANO is, and in particular where there is more than one type of licence or rating it is written differently for each.
EASA will still lead to differences in interpretation between different States but at least we will only have one set of rules allbeit poorly conceived ones in places.