do we need an appointment to apply for a visa at the Visa Processing Center?

I hold a US passport, am a permanent resident in France. I live in the Southwest of France and the Paris Visa Processing Center is the most accessible. This will be my second time to request for a Chinese Visa. Due to my schedule constraints and Paris being far from home, I would like to know, if getting an appointment is mandatory when applying in the Visa Processing Center in Paris? Is there a way to requests for certain days of availability if appointment is mandatory? I am planning to be in China on the 17th of October, can I apply now?
As this is my second Chinese visa, do I still need to present hotel reservations at this moment? and airline ticket?