If you are intending to live in France, you do need to make an effort to learn the language. While many French people do in fact speak at least a smattering of English, they do not take kindly if you make no effort at all to integrate and you have little chance of being welcomed into the community.
Apart from that, you do need to know the language if you are intending on living in a foreign country. How do you get your 'toit' fixed if your roof tiles come off?
What happens when your ordinateur portable gives up the ghost? Many of these tradesmen, especially in smaller towns and villages will not speak English.
It is hard at first. You need to try to make friends although your language skills may be very shaky. But people are very forgiving and if you dive in and try to make conversation they will forgive you if you say 'poison' instead of 'poisson'!
If you are thinking of spending more time down there, make an effort to have at least some language classes before you go. At the very least download some language modules onto your MP3 player – there are some great free ones out there and listen to it as much as you can. Another idea is to immerse yourself in French radio or TV.