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I think the point is that there are indeed quite a few among the French who realize that their nation has become somewhat irrelevant in the geo-political arena. The whole debate about Iraq neatly summarized it for them. You don't have to "love" or "hate" the French, nor do you need to support or oppose US policy towards Iraq to recognize this.
The single greatest concentration of power within the governance of the UN security council is the veto. Through the veto, one single nation can effectively dictate what the rest of the member nations can do. The veto - as with any form of power or influence - must be respected and used in good faith. France, however, abused its veto power when it unequivocally stated that it would block any and all efforts by the UN to enforce its own resolutions (some seventeen of them, if my memory serves correctly).
Within the EU, France is resented by most of the Eastern European nations, as well as the smaller Western European nations that have been disenfrachised by France and Germany's attempts to marginalize them. France and Germany are often described as bullies by these smaller nations, but collectively, they have more influence than France has alone. Many do indeed believe that France abused its veto power in the UN to obstruct any action for apparently self-serving interests. So, within both Europe and the larger international arena, Chirac's attempts to broaden France's influence have backfired. Instead of earning the respect of their piers, they tried to assume it. They are guilty of precisely that which they accuse the Americans of having done - acting unilaterally. Their policies have indeed been arrogant, and it has cost them much credibility and influence. There should be no surprise that many among the French are critical of the policies and attitudes that have caused them this harm.
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Skwerl. Its wuts fer dinner.
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