I've traveled to Paris multiple times when I was younger. It's pretty cool. Funny enough, its very similar to NYC: the most diverse city in France, certain parts of town have ended up being divided by ethnic background (Chinatown, areas with mostly Jews, areas with mostly Arabs, black folks, etc) super cosmopolitan, and NOT cheap. Like NYC, it's a great place to live if you got the money for it.
EDIT: Doesn't mean Paris (and France as a whole) doesnt have it's issues. The french can be passive aggressive when it comes to the issue of race. Unlike white ppl here, they are a lot more direct about it, if that makes sense. France's stagnant economic situation hasn't helped either. That, however, applies more to the older generation. The younger folks are far more open.
You may also encounter some racial profiling from the cops but overall, it's nothing new from what we experience stateside.
Paris is def an awesome place though, I plan on going back there for NYE. I'd check it out (as well as the rest of France and/or the other countries you mentioned)to get a clear perspective of it though. You may have a different opinion of it.
BTW, if you want to trave and/or move anywhere in France, learn as much French as you can. Makes a lot of difference. Especially if you are American.