How was the French army prepared for the war?

Before the start of the First World War, the French army received about 450 thousand recruits, which made it possible to significantly increase the number of troops. As a result, the total number of troops was 883 thousand. The strength of the army also increased. This number was achieved due to the fact that soldiers from the colonies joined the troops. The number could have been even greater, but at that time there was a high mortality rate, which did not allow some to live up to draft age.