How mountainous Low Countries alter maritime strategy

How might the world wars change if the Low Countries were mountainous?

France would gain a far stronger northern frontier, the coast would offer fewer useful ports, and maritime strategy would place greater weight on the French Navy.

A mountain range through the Low Countries need not eliminate the English Channel. In the proposed geography, a ridge extending from Switzerland to the sea would give France a much stronger northern frontier. A mountainous coast would offer poorer ports for sending forces across the Channel. With strong terrain along its land borders, France would become more defensible and its navy would pose a greater problem for Britain.