Not as much as you'd think compared to the UK, when it comes to income tax for example. In the UK, you hit the 40% bracket from £43K, in France that's only at €71K ! Granted, France has a 30% bracket from 26-71K€, in the UK it's 20% from £11-43K.

Capital gains taxes are slightly higher in France, so is corporation tax for big companies (much higher), and there are definitely higher labour taxes on French salaries, but there's no comparison in terms of what public services you get for that money (it includes unemployment insurance, child benefits, comprehensive health care, and a state pension you can actually live on, amongst other things)

The France has a multi-layered tax system.

The 41% is one of the layers.

Before it there is a 20-25% layer that doesn't depend on your income ;)

And it goes on...

I'm not sure what you mean by "20-25% layer", but there are other taxes besides income tax in the UK too : National Insurance contributions, Dividend Tax, Capital Gains Tax, etc.

Overall, it's definitely less in the UK, but not enough to warrant saying French taxes are "through the roof" compared to them.

In the UK. The income tax and the NI are both applied at the same time as a percentage of your gross salary. (Basically 20+11% or 40+2% if on the high tax bracket).

In France. The taxes are layered. There is your gross salary, then one tax is applied (25%)... then another tax is applied (11-45%) on what's left ... then it keeps going on.

Compared to London?