Extract the driving spirit of France (7)
I believe the answer is:
essence
This might be a double definition.
'extract the driving' is the first definition.
'essence' can be an answer for 'extract' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'the driving' bit.
'spirit of france' is the second definition.
'essence' can be an answer for 'spirit' (I've seen this before). I'm not certain of the 'of france' bit.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for essence that I've seen before include "Perfume or distillation" , "The quality that makes something what it is" , "Perfume or concentrated extract" , "Extract (eg, of vanilla)" , "Plant extract flavouring" .)