That's interesting, just in my experience, Germans are way more likely to speak English than the French, even if they know it. I always thought it was their pride or something heh. Learning either is a daunting task...
Sure, in Frankfurt you can speak English almost with everyone. But never in government offices; all paperwork must be done in German. One headhunter from Frankfurt was recently complaining about it to me, pointing out the fact that Paris made sure bankers can do all paperwork in English whereas Frankfurt doesn't care. And obviously his own well-being depends on attracting people to Frankfurt.
I am French and extremely surprised to hear that the French administration will let you do paperwork in English. Then again, I haven't lived here for some years.
I wouldn't be surprised if some kind of local government agency in Paris was helping expats with paperwork, but the idea that all French civil servants and forms will suddenly start speaking English seems outlandish :)