France banks operate by branches - and having a bank account in Paris will be very impractical if you're living in the south of France. There are a few operations for which you have to go in and talk to your "bank conseiller" face to face - including opening an account. And if you move towns and want to use a different branch of the same bank, you usually have to close the old account and open a new account in the new town's branch.
France has some e-banks, but they aren't so easy for a foreigner to use (between the identity documents required to open an account and a general lack of familiarity with how French banks normally operate).
Don't bother trying to open a bank account until you get here and know where you'll be living and working. You want to find a branch convenient to either your home or your place of work. You'll also want to find a bank where the branch staff are easy for you to work with. (Many banks do have staff who can speak English, but you won't find out about them by calling the bank.) Make friends with the bank manager, and life will be truly good.
Cheers,
Bev