Not living in France, but Belgium (similar market to some extent): 99% of people don't want to work as a contract. They want a long term, "indefinite" employment contract.
The status of a job for government is tha tyou CAN'T be fired ! Whatever stupid thing you do, whatever you work or not, you can't loose the job.
It's also less payed than a job in a private company, and you almos know exactly what will be your income on the last year you'll work, but it's safe.
And for big companies, the union are mandatory, so it's almost the same. Hard to be fired.
And that's why beeing an entrepreneur in France is so hard and not understand by most people. Why take risks ?
Brazilian here. It seems that we have a lot in common.
However, entrepreneurship and self made man/business culture has been getting increasingly popular (mostly at São Paulo) although lawmakers have not been following the trend.
edit: formatting.
My major fear living in Paris is losing my apartment while being between jobs or even still in the trial period.