A 1940 Italian attempt to seize the French fleet

What if Italy tried to seize the French Mediterranean Fleet in 1940, excluding the ships at Alexandria?

French crews would probably resist or scuttle their ships, with sailing away another possibility while fuel remained available in 1940.

An Italian attempt to take the ships is expected to meet French resistance. The discussion treats existing French hostility toward Italy as a reason that sailing away might be preferable to surrender. In 1940, the fleet is considered to have more freedom to leave than it possessed at the later scuttling. By that later crisis, shortages of fuel and other requirements had narrowed its options. The scenario therefore depends on when the attempted seizure occurs as well as which country attempts it.