Apply for visa post or electronically?

Hi I am wondering if I can apply and obtain a chinese visa in France by post or electronically do I have to go in person to the embassy to obtain the visa. In case i have to go my self, I live in Nice, so i suppose the closer embassy i could get to is in Marseilles? I have been told that agencies can also arrange the visa for you(i've been told for one in Monaco) without you having to go to the embassy? Is it true?