My father took part in the Normandy Invasion (came ashore a few days after D-Day). As a MP, he had lots of interaction with the locals, who he described as extremely unappreciative and generally bitching about everything American. A common theme was that the invasion tore their farms up and that the American Army should pay for the damages.
As a side note, I should add that some of the French ladies were most appreciative of the G.I's. One of the guys in my dad's unit bore a striking resemblance to the French actor Fernandel, which ensured that there was a flock of young women around when things were calm.
