Dunkerque speed versus four Richelieu-class ships

Would France have been better off building four Richelieu-class battleships instead of four Dunkerque-class ships?

Probably not, because the Dunkerques could be completed sooner; designing them for a later upgrade to Richelieu-type guns would offer a better compromise.

The comparison goes beyond the fighting power of four Richelieu-class ships and four Dunkerques. Building the smaller Dunkerques sooner would make useful fast capital ships available when the war actually begins. The design could leave room for a later gun upgrade. A path toward Richelieu-type armament could preserve the earlier delivery advantage while extending the class's usefulness.