Many years ago (say 10 or so), AF decided to make its F cabin very exclusive. It decided to strictly enforce a no staff/family/friends in F. I believe that this has been quite strictly adhered to.
However, the pilots fought to keep their privilege to sit their family in F if seats available. I assume that this is still the case, so MumbaiDan experience is not such a shocker.
The experience of nldogbert and matmatir is unfortunately common, especially at holiday time. In longhaul, there is sometimes a melee with lots of pax standing in the galley waiting to grab s PE or J seat. I remember big arguments between pursers about who wold be seated where on a HKG-CDG flight four years ago.
At the time, top management was trying to police this custom. But I fear that the recent AF troubles have raised the FAs feeling of entitlement.