What is a 'Signalwort'?

Whatever the case, both sentences are right. 'before' means 'at any time earlier than the present' and thus does not refer to a specific time in the past.

'Signalwort' means that these words tend to be used with a specific tense - 'ago' with simple past, for example, 'since' with present perfect.

Since English tenses are very difficult for Germans, beginners especially are taught to look out for those Signalwörter. It rarely works 100%, of course, but it heightens awareness. You stop and think about your sentence when you encounter one.

The sentences may be right in some sense, but I don't like them.

Maybe been in France or gone to/traveled to/visited France. Or, been to a more focused location than France.

The second sentence requires some context, IMO. E.g, It's not surprising that her elephant pictures are so good. She has, after all, taken pictures of an elephant before [she took the current pictures].

@Jurist

I think we might presume one of two things. Either they have more context, or they are grammar exercises. If the latter, there is no problem. These are clearly the right answers. If there is more context, of course that matters. But I cannot think of any normal context for either of these two sentences which would require a different tense.

Your English is clearly different from that of BE speakers, for whom 'been to France' is standard.