While France has a reputation for racism, what I've seen of it here is more directed at the Magrebhi community and the whole Muslim thing than at Blacks.

There is a certain resentment in some areas against the Brits - because they have "driven up housing prices", they "stick to themselves" (not like the French don't ) and they "expect us to speak English." But that's mostly out in the countryside where small towns are dying as the young people head to the cities and people are looking for someone to blame for their misfortunes.

The French are a bit reserved with foreigners (heck, with each other) but if you make a point of trying to speak French with them, you should do fine.
Cheers,
Bev