The French start with Alphabet and Masonry, actually, but you're right about it being a very useful starting pair (the most expensive pair is Alphabet and Bronze Working, I believe, althoug Alph+Masonry is probably the second most expensive pair)
Naw... Alpha cost-5... Masonry and Wheel-4... Bronze Working-3... so the Top 3 are Alpha, Mas, and Wheel...
Getting back on topic... i don't think people see the power in Russia's traits
Scientific-Libraries now cost less than temples! and give 1 more culture, bonus tech on each level, and idk if this is true, but it seems that i get a slight bonus in poping techs and less gold/settlers/auto-cities from Goody Huts
Expantionistic-early expantion!!! Easiest way to make a large empire FAST! and not to mention you get the scout which was made to pop those Huts, and after a short time playing the game, you realized you popped just about every tech in the Ancient Age before the AI has made their 3rd city!!! **that happened to me last game... only monarchy was left, even popped The Republic for early switch**
Not to mention the Cossack is amazing, and w/ blitz, makes it one of the most valuable UU's in the game!
Next fav civs.... Ottomans, Byzantines, **Newly Persia** i wasn't very happy w/ them before, but now they are amazing!