Actually it works the other way around - the EA version will NOT be available to anyone in France (because of publishing agreements there). They will of course get the full version when ready via the publisher we have there.
Quote: "if you buy the early vertion do you have to buy the full version or will it be a free upgrade?"
You will pay whatever the difference in pricing is. If the EA version is say $10 less than the full release, then it is only the $10 you would have to pay. There will be no financial deterrant from buying the EA and then upgrading to the full release, the end result will be exactly the same (money-wise) as if you had bought the full release from the start. You'll just get the product some months sooner, that's all.
Cheers,
Rich
"I am not young enough to know everything."
- Oscar Wilde