One of my friends (Indian citizen) travelled back through Paris. He had to take a transit visa since his U.S visa had expired. Check the Frech Consulate website in Washington, dC. It will tell you whether you need a transit visa.
Also, I got my transit visa for UK (London), from the British Consulate in New York City on Nov 10, 2003. My F-1 visa had expired last year. I am going to India for first time H-1B stamping. So I need a transit visa for UK since I do not have an unexpired US visa stamp anymore.