The French Revolution and the American Revolution are grounded in two very different ideas about the source of our basic human rights. In the French case, rights derive from a "social contract" and are negotiable. In the American case, human rights derive from Nature and Nature's God, and cannot be taken away by others.
That said, even though I disagree with their political philosophy, France is one of the most pleasant places on Earth to visit. It would be even better if it weren't for the French.