France tries to regulate what people wear while sitting on the beach. It seems downright opposed to multiculturalism and diversity. Freedom of expression isn't just the right to write blog posts.
Speaking as somebody who's lived in France, Greece, the UK, the US and Sweden: France is by far the most "multiculturalism-friendly" place of all these. Yes, even more than Sweden.
Like most French people, I'm not proud of my country. But this is something I can be proud of.
(Disclaimer: Some cities are of course less kind to strangers than others; it's not a uniform utopia)
I come from the maghreb region and lived in France for a while. I experienced racism at work and outside of it.
If you are arab looking or black, you better emmigrate to another country like UK/US or even germany for a better chance. If you don't you are doomed.
For those who don't understand what I'm talking about check a movie called "La Haine".
And I agree with you, it might be different in other cities.