Ireland's Grand Slam dreams were left in tatters as France claimed a deserved victory at Lansdowne Road.
Tries from Christophe Dominici and debutant Benoit Baby helped France into an 18-9 lead at the interval with Ronan O'Gara slotting all the Irish points.
Ireland battled bravely in the second half and Brian O'Driscoll's magnificent 72nd-minute touchdown gave the home side hope.
But Dominici's second try late on made the game safe for the visitors.
Ireland: Murphy, Dempsey, O'Driscoll, Maggs, Hickie, O'Gara, Stringer, Corrigan, Byrne, Hayes, O'Kelly, O'Connell, S. Easterby, O'Connor, Foley.
Replacements: Horan for Corrigan (71), Miller for Foley (71). Not Used: Sheahan, O'Callaghan, G. Easterby, Humphreys, Duffy.

France: Laharrague, Heymans, Jauzion, Baby, Dominici, Delaigue, Yachvili, Marconnet, Bruno, Mas, Pelous, Thion, Betsen, Nyanga, Bonnaire.
Replacements: Michalak for Delaigue (70), Szarzewski for Bruno (77), De Villiers for Mas (41), Pape for Pelous (72), Lamboley for Nyanga (55). Not Used: Mignoni, Marty.

Referee: T Spreadbury (England)