But Wales coach Jason Lewis has challenged his side to hit back immediately and redress the balance of their season by winning in Ireland in two weeks’ time.
It was a disappointing performance all round from a Wales side who had struck back from defeat against England on the opening day of the season with a consummate victory over Scotland two weeks ago.
Sadly, any chance of a repeat performance disappeared in a second half that saw Wales commit far too many errors.
A Non Evans penalty in the first half gave Wales a slender interval advantage although France might have turned around in front had outside half Aurelie Bailon converted her side’s penalty opportunities.
After that, however, it was France who took over control with left wing Caroline Ladagnous crossing for a try that left Wales very much behind the black ball.
Their plight worsened when Bailon finally found her range with a penalty from in front and though Wales threatened, they were a shadow of the side that had swept Scotland aside on Bridgend soil last time out.
Sandrine Agricole settled the issue with a second French try with Bailon’s conversion putting further daylight between the sides.
Lewis said: “It was a poor performance and everyone is understandably disappointed. We need to be beating sides like that if we are where we think we are in the world game.
“I felt that we played most of the rugby in the first half but we failed to capitalise on our scoring opportunities.
“In the second half, we found ourselves pinned in our 22 for long periods during which time we messed up and gifted them a couple of scores.
“It will be interesting to see how we respond to this when we go to Ireland. I would like to think we can strike back with a victory and a decent performance too.
“We are off track in terms of our Six Nations ambitions, but I will be happy to accept wherever we finish in this tournament providing we learn the lessons of today’s game.”
