A bright start in French, perhaps (4)

I believe the answer is:

dawn

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'a bright start' is the definition.
'dawn' can be an answer for 'start' (the dawn of something is its origin). I am unsure of the 'a bright' bit.

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dawn that I've seen before include "Cockcrow" , "First light" , "Begin to appear" , "fresh start" , "Sunrise" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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