First of all, are you certain that the actual axel busted? Or could it just be the skewer (the rod that inserts though the axel, and secures the hubs to the frame)? Pardon me if I’ve offended. I’m just asking since you stated you don’t know much about bikes.

If your ‘72 U0-8 is original it would have a Regida (manufacturing brand) steel 27” rim laced to a 5 speed freewheel hub. The hub is probably a Normandy (manufacturing brand), with English threading for the freewheel, though it could be French threading. It could be helpful to those who’d help you if you could confirm these items.

If the parts are original, and you’d like to keep it that way, then sourcing a replacement hub from a bicycle co-op or from eBay in order to have a local bike shop rebuild your wheel would be one option. Though you’d want to determine if your freewheel is in fact English threaded or not before sourcing a new vintage Normandy hub.

If you’d like to take advantage of the mishap and create an opportunity to upgrade, then consider switching to an aluminum rim. The bike would be lighter, and brake better for it. Of course to reap full benefits, changing the front wheel would also be in order. Improved handling mught be another gain from moving to 700c.

If you go with Aluminum you can find 27” rims quite easily online, and at some better equipped local bike shops including co-ops. However, going this route, you might also consider moving down a hair in rim/tire size to 700c. You’d benefit from a wider selection, and better overall availability of rims and tires for this. However, I’m not sure if your brakes would support a 700c conversation if they are original (Mafac or possibly Wienmann). Easy enough to address and remedy though.

If any any of that catches your interest, then I’m sure you’d find all the help to get things underway right here in this forum. Otherwise to simply replace the wheel with something that works, I’d say we still need more information as mentioned earlier. Photos can be hugely helpful for problem solving as well.

Best of luck!

Certainly a long shot but, post or provide your location. If your were near me I'd say "bring it on over and I'll show/help you change that axle. Then we'll take it around the block together (14 miles) to test it."

I may even have a spare." There are lots of helpful folks here 'bouts. You may not need a new wheel. I wouldn't.

+1 - before buying a new wheel i’d find a vintage friendly LBS and remove the axle - should be possible to find a replacement (perhaps out of an old wheel at the back of the shop?). Also the question about the skewer is a good one - and they’re even easier to replace.

I am another vote for changing the wheels to a pair with aluminum rims. I agree with you that the old Peugeots are a delight to ride. I have an AO-8 (same as yours except no chrome) and just love it. After I put on nice aluminum wheels it was even better!

This could end up a cascade of decisions as you have read.

i will assume the axle is broken- with the age, a good chance the hub races are toast too.

a bike co- op, a donor bike, all could be the lowest cost route butane take time.

tge Velomine wheels if still on offer would be difficult to beat but will require new tires, tubes, rim strips, freewheel and most probably a new chain. Old freewheel +

+ old chain... Very likely the pair will skip with only one new.

all reasonable to do- the brake blocks will have to be adjusted lower if the new wheels are 700c, a reas

... Reasonable choice as 27" is becoming very limited.

a donor bike- just for the wheels- may just be the most effective way to get there. Could have 27" and alloy rims even, just swap the entire wheel assembly- front too.

A bike co-op if within driving distance would be worth checking.
Many possibilities- the French threading will guide the course of action as well.

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