The CNN headline quite cleverly said it well
"France: prostitution now legal, paying for sex becomes illegal."
France doesn't want the industry to flourish but they changed in forcemeat to match most other European countries' strategy - don't arrest the hooker, take down the clients. Apparently, a hooker is not afraid to be a repeat offender because the judge is not going to sentence her (in most cases) to more than a few days in jail and a minor fine. The client, on the other hand, has much more to loose and, with his (usually) name published with an arrest record he will not likely get that next promotion or job.
"France: prostitution now legal, paying for sex becomes illegal."
France doesn't want the industry to flourish but they changed in forcemeat to match most other European countries' strategy - don't arrest the hooker, take down the clients. Apparently, a hooker is not afraid to be a repeat offender because the judge is not going to sentence her (in most cases) to more than a few days in jail and a minor fine. The client, on the other hand, has much more to loose and, with his (usually) name published with an arrest record he will not likely get that next promotion or job.