I just travelled to and from France with a bike in July. They will not allow you to check in unless you pay for the bike. The agents are under strict instructions to collect the fee.

I would advise you also to make a reservation for yor bike ahead of time because they don't promise to have room for your bike on the same flight. This would avoid having to ship your bike via cargo rates which would be more.

The fee is now 150 dollars for flights departing the USA to France and 150 Euros for flights departing France and returning to the USA. Inter France flights costs 20 Euro when you are not making a direct connection.

I hope that this helps!