As far as France, in The Netherlands we say, it's a GREAT country, to bad French ppl live there :D
Serious, you have to be lucky, many French are friendly and such. When you start speaking French to them(even in your worst attempt) they are more friendly, then when you start in English. Don't ask me why, but that is what I experienced. And I have been in France a lot of times
The foodis simply great there, and so is the wine. Besdies that the weather is there better then here, and there you have soooooo much space. Something I sometimes really miss here