Well, looks like we will be sleeping in CDG tonight after a bit of confusion...
When I called the TA at 19:05 (our flight was supposed to depart at 18:45 from DUS but I saw on FR24 that it was still in CDG at that time), the agent started to say that the flight was ontime (like the app), but after seeing that the inbound flight was very late and still in CDG, she understood that our 2 hour connection to MPL could be in danger, but after she looked a bit more, saw that this flight would be delayed too. I enquired about being placed on the next flight DUS-CDG AF1007 (which was more or less ontime) but she said that for now it was too early and that the team in CDG would look after our connection, I mentioned the idea to get a "direct transfer if possible as this was the last flight from the 2F tonight and I was not sure there would still be buses running to the 2F from 2G. She replied that there was a team in CDG in charge of monitoring those transfers and that they would do their best to accomodate). I still asked if there was a possibility to block a couple seats on the first flight tomorrow to MPL (6:45 departure) which she did after the call. We boarded AF1407 DUS-CDG 2 hours and half late (btw, they called my name for pre boarding while I was already on the jetway), while what was supposed to be the next flight, AF1007, departed 15 min before us. Upon boarding the aircraft, the purser came to us to apologize for the delay and told us she would inform us about our upcoming transfer status. Pillow, bottle of water and towelette were on the seat, champagne was spontaneously offered (we were both travelling Y). 15 min after take off, she indicated that they received a message that "the transfer would arranged" (whatever that would mean). We landed at 21:55 and reached the gate in 2G few minutes later. But in the meantime, we both received messages indicating that we were rebooked on tomorrow's second departure (9.10). A couple agents were waiting for us down the stairs and brought us to the Porsche Cayenne, while informing us that we would be flying only tomorrow morning, and that the hotel was booked in CDG for the night. They were very friendly and apologetic, they believed until our arrival that the flight to MPL would wait, hence the car being ready, but they got an ATC clearance to leave earlier and they did. They also did not understand why we did not get rebooked on AF1007 which arrived 15 min earlier. They brought us by car until the exit of the 2F terminal and indicated the way to the hotel (which I already knew as I got accomodated there by AF a few times). Surprisingly, we met our crew at the reception of the hotel and chatted a bit while waiting for our keys. We kept the 9.10 am departure for tomorrow, so that we could rest a bit more...
Key learnings from this : While the crew on board and the two ground agents (Franck et Jossa) were very nice and professional, it's unfortunate that the Ulti line or the ground staff in DUS were not more proactive in rebooking us on the "later flight" to CDG - which departed DUS earlier, which would have allowed us to get our connection. I was following flight radar until some point and did not realize this situation until the other flight to CDG was closed, while waiting in line to board. I mentioned this option to the TA but this was not really followed up and I got caught with something else to do in the meantime. I think overall AF did a better job compared to what KL would have done (they don't have transfer cars to begin with) but there is still some improvements to do in the back office when it comes to communication. Afterall, I never got a message or phone call about the severe delay of the first flight and the entire communication on this could have been improved also from the ground agent in DUS.