Isn't it an ICAO requirement to speak English? If so then maybe it's not the Brits who are being arrogant...
According to ICAO the language used shall be the language of the ground station or English.
To comply with that ICAO requirement, International French Airports can use English in R/T if required. The rest of the time they can use the local Language.
Pilots visiting France should remember tat there is an ICAO requirement for "Language Proficiency" and not "English Language Proficiency". That means when flying to an aerodrome where the Language for R/T is French Only then the Pilot needs to hold a French Language Proficiency Certificate to use the radio.
Ask a Non-Enbglish speaking pilot to show you their licence - they will have language proficiency in both Local language and English.
Viv le difFrance,
Brendan