Is the Clause Tontine the only solution?

[Douglin]

In a recent discussion in France it was suggested to us that the Clause Tontine was not necessarily the ideal way of ensuring the rights of the surviving partner. The suggestion made was that the 'Communite Universelle' (I might have the spelling wrong) was a relatively expensive but more certain way of overcoming the problem. This would need to be drawn up by a solicitor.
Can anyone throw any light on this from their own experiences. The recommendation came from a French national.
Doug and Lin Gordon