Some people don't like it because it is "cool and classic, regarding music as sonorous form rather than spontaneous expression. Order and restraint are fundamental. Instead of emotional displays and musical depiction, it relies on suble patterns of tones, rhythms, and colors (from pg.471 of concise history of music)."
But, after having had a french piano teacher, i think that this elegance is well thought out and from a long tradition. Bizet really blew it though, when he created his opera Carmen. just kidding.
faure's music "has often been described as Hellenic, it's clarity, balance, and serenity recalling the classic spirit of ancient greek art."
Topic: An age old question