Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
Add the cubed French bread to the egg mixture, gently folding it in to ensure all the bread is soaked. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes so the bread can absorb the mixture.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve warm, topped with maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar if desired.
For added flavor, you can mix in fresh berries or chocolate chips before baking.
The casserole can be prepared the night before and stored in the refrigerator. Just bake it the next morning, adding a few extra minutes to the total cooking time if baking from cold.