You definitely get your steps in for a CDG connection. I get the impression that the secure arrivals on AF metal before 7am are the ones which are near locks to get the magic gates (so 15 (JFK), 327 (YOW), 343 (YUL), 257 (SIN), 333 (BOS), and 23 (JFK)); after that it's luck of the draw.
My next CDG connection is 321 (after 11am), so I'm not counting my chickens (though I am hoping for a change to a new A350...) regarding the easy connection.