It’s true. In the major metropolitan areas of France and Italy, most folks are not delighted to speak in English. It’s not their native tongue after all. We were lucky to have fluent speaker with us, but he couldn’t be with all of us at all times. In the more rural and touristy areas, you will have much more luck with happy English speakers. Still, beef up on as much of the language as you can before you arrive and come emotionally prepared to be mildly tolerated by the natives!
Overall, the magic of being in Europe will overtake a lot of things, but good planning and communication will ease the pain of planning a major trip to uncertain territory.