Transportation: Population density is the key here-- Germany has about 80 million people, two-thirds of whom live in a 300 mile wide corridor stretching from Munich to Hamburg. Ditto for France if you take a 200 mile wide circumference around Paris. It's a lot easier (and makes sense) to have top-notch public transportation than to have that many people try to drive every day. It's also the case that European capitals are viewed as showcases for public spaces, so the state spends lavishly. You won't find transportation or public spaces like Paris in the poorer provincial cities off the tourist routes (like Verdun).
Working Hard: remember, those who work in private enterprise in France have to work very hard-- they're paying for the +50% of GDP consumed by those on the dole and the hordes of government employees who can retire at 55.
(although a lot of American wait staff really push the limit here).
My wife insisted on stopping in a little restaurant near the Louve. We were seated and we ordered. Others came in, the waitress moved us and two other couples.
We had our drinks and waited for our food. Others came in, the waitress moved us and three other couples.
Our food arrived and we began to eat. Others came in, the waitress approached and I said “Non!”