I had much the same experience in Paris that you did. I have never learned French beyond a few basic phrases, and although I speak fluent German that was a talent I decided to keep to myself (didn't want hordes of smelly cowards trying to surrender to me . . . ) I am a Southerner and polite to a fault. But no matter how courteous and patient I tried to be, the Parisians treated me with uniform contempt and malice. I could not get out of that city fast enough.
But everywhere else I went in France, particularly Normandy, the people were kind, friendly, patient with my attempts at communication (my Latin did come in handy) and very pleasant in every way.
They just have to do something about their "elites" over in Paris . . .