Do I attempt to speak French or just speak English while visiting Paris?

I'm staying in Paris on vacation and my French is very limited (to say the least). I had heard that as long as you make an attempt to speak French that they will be more appreciative and perhaps nicer to you--but it seems like if I try to speak French, they just find my attempts humorous and if I just start off speaking English they are less attentive or downright rude.