1. Gloire is easy enough to pick up that you'll have figured out how to play by the third turn. The mechanics are all based around d10s. Combat involves opposed rolls, so you're not sitting around twiddling your thumbs while your opponent takes his turn.
2. Gloire is cheaper, but does not sacrifice period feel for the lower cost. In fact, it drips with period feel, like an overfull glass of wine.
3. Character creation is based on templates and grades, rather than a dice rolling + points system
4. Games revolve around objectives and scenario design. While a pure combat skirmish game is possible, it is certainly not the sole point of Gloire!
Try downloading the free trial rules and give it a go. The free download contains enough material for you to play a game, and a scenario to let you try things out.
If that doesn't work, I may pull a Hasslefree and put up cute kid pictures.