caryl: Sal poked around most with multiplayer and he got something working using Khan(?) or something like "routing" IPX over TCP vor original MAX. However that worked only a few turns if I remember correctly (and only on systems older win2000). You may ask him about that.
French you say? French is iso-8559-1 and has language code "FRE" or "FRA" and beside your special characters, that are not yet implemented in the bitmap charset (you might implement them *hint*), you can easily start a new translation file by simply copying lang_eng.xml to lang_fre.xml.
Now you should read
1: http://www.maxthegame.de/bbs/viewtopic.php?id=165
2: http://www.maxthegame.de/bbs/viewtopic.php?id=184
and simply start hacking using editor.exe or notepad.exe (NOT word!)
If you are unsure how to work out your own translation you may take a look at lang_ger.xml how it's done there
I can give you more support on this by mail, PM or chat