The home side won a titanic contest 32-21 but there was plenty to admire about the Scotland performance as they bounced back impressively from a nightmare opening period that saw them fall 19-0 behind after losing lock Grant Gilchrist to a red card.
The numbers were evened up when French prop Mohamed Haouas also saw red – the first time in Six Nations history that opposing teams have each had a player sent off in the first half – and two tries from Huw Jones and one from Finn Russell brought the Scots back to within four points at 25-21 behind with 12 minutes to play.
However, a loose line-out allowed France to steal possession and break forward in the closing stages with centre Gael Fickou sealing a bonus-point win for the hosts with a last minute try, adding to the earlier tries from Romain Ntamack, Ethan Dumortier and Thomas Ramos.
Here is how the Scotland players rated out of 10 ...
1. Pierre Schoeman
A real threat in the loose for Scotland, with a couple of bullocking runs. 7/10 Photo: FRANCK FIFE
2. George Turner
Came close to scoring but fumbled near the line. Solid at scrum and with his lineout throwing. 7 Photo: FRANCK FIFE
3. Zander Fagerson
Agonisingly close to a first-half try but unable to ground the ball with his outstretched hand. 6 Photo: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT
4. Richie Gray
Held things together as Scotland had to regroup after Grant Gilchrist’s red card. 7 Photo: Adam Davy