When in Paris in 1999 (& a young, dumb college student), both myself and my traveling mate had our debit cards eaten by two different ATMs. I don't really remember why, except that we couldn't get the one ATM to show the English that it had offered us and then couldn't figure out how to "get out" (young & dumb, remember?).

Anyway, the good news of this story is that, later when they opened, both of us were able to go into the bank that the ATM was attached to and get our card back. They had to check our IDs, and make a phone call, but it was possible. I don't know if this is still possible but it doesn't hurt to ask. I didn't speak any french aside from "excuse me do you speak English?" and the folks at the banks treated us fine.