I don't think it's right, based on what the OP has posted, that Italy ought to be his point of entry. The traveller can make a good case that Italy is his main destination, especially since it is the destination that he is heading towards. (Only if there is no "main destination" should the visa be applied for from the country of first entry to the Schengen area.)

Of course France could legally refuse entry. A Schengen visa is no guarantee of entry in any circumstance. However, they're not going to do so on the basis presented in this thread.