I too have been playing France for a bit, on VH/VH. I agree with much of your advice, particularly the rebel provinces to stay clear of early on for fear of upsetting the neighbours. The really big difference in my strategy is regarding England. Your initial princess can be married off to the English heir, William Rufus, and the result is a firm alliance which lasts for a very very long time giving France a secure northern boundry and allowing expansion elsewhere much earlier. I personally go for a secure Pyrennean border too and smashing the Milanese.