Article R423-3 of the French Code governing the entry and residence of foreign nationals and the right of asylum
An application for the resident permit provided for in article L. 423-10 is equivalent to an application for renewal of the residence permit previously acquired when it is submitted by a foreign national who has held for at least three years the temporary residence permit provided for in article L. 423-7 or a multi-annual residence permit issued to the foreign national mentioned in articles L. 423-1, L. 423-7 or L….