Originally Posted by ClipperDelta

Actually, going through CDG today, some of the 777s were parked remotely as well. Basically, if your gate is E70-E79, you stay in Terminal 2E and when boarding time comes, you get on a bus (mostly) and then climb the stairs. If your gate is E80-89, you follow the signs to the gate, after which you board a bus which takes you out to the remote terminal where you can use the lounge and do some duty free shopping. There, from what I have noticed, you can walk straight out to the stairs and board the a/c without having to go through another bus ride. The a/c is literally lined up with the boarding gate at this temporary terminal so there isn't much walking needed.
In summary, main difference if you're at the E80 gates, your waiting area after checkin, security, and immigration is at the remote terminal; if it's the E70 gates, you wait at Terminal 2E. In all cases, boarding the actual a/c is by stairs; and it looks like all cases involve one bus ride.