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 ...
13. Huw Jones
A try in each half and constant thorn in the side of the French. Revelling in his return to the international stage. 8 Photo: FRANCK FIFE
14. Kyle Steyn
Like van der Merwe, didn’t have many opportunities to shine in attack but put in a big defensive shift. 7 Photo: Adam Davy
15. Stuart Hogg
Defended well but wasn’t afforded many opportunities to attack. 6 Photo: David Rogers
16. Replacements
Jonny Gray played 70 minutes following Gilchrist’s dismissal and acquitted himself. Jack Dempsey and Ali Price came on midway through the second half to pep things up. Photo: FRANCK FIFE