Tries from Matthieu Barrau, Thomas Lievremont, and Pieter Devilliers lifted France from a four-point halftime deficit to a 39-31 win over the United States at Rentschler Stadium in Hartford, Connecticut.
In a back-and-forth match that saw the lead change hands six times, the visitors took control of the contest with three tries in a period of 14 minutes during the third quarter. But the Americans rallied to score twice in the final quarter, inspired by the final international of 54-cap lock Dave Hodges.
Debutant flyhalf Alexandre Peclier added 14 points goalkicking, spelling the difference between the two teams, which each scored five tries on a warm New England afternoon.
The match was the first game of the France's two-game tour of North America, and the final Eagle test until November.
"We managed to pull together our offence, but not so much our defence," said French coach Bernard Laporte.
"The French professionals can change the face of the game at a moment's notice. This one got away from us," said USA coach Tom Billups.
United States: Tries: Paga, Hercus, Naivalu, Van Zyl, Mo'unga
Conversions: Hercus (3)
France: Tries: Tabacco, Valbon, Barrau, Lievremont, Devilliers,
Conversions: Peclier (4)
Penalty goals: Peclier (2)