The classic type of French novel (5)
I believe the answer is:
roman
This could be a double definition.
'the classic type' is the first definition.
'roman' can be an answer for 'type' (variety of type eg Times New Roman). I'm not certain of the 'the classic' bit.
'french novel' is the second definition.
('novel' in French)
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for roman that I've seen before include "Denizen of Italian capital" , "European citizen" , "Non-italic (type)" , "Classical" , "Citizen of Italian capital" .)