Chris Froome and last year?s winner Tom Dumoulin both enjoyed an uneventful day, riding safely in the peloton to finish in the same time as the winner.
France, who laboured for long periods before Italy typically crumbled late on, won for the first time in nine matches and 11 months.
France captain Guilhem Guirado says the team's current slump is painful to deal with and vowed to win Friday's Six Nations clash against Italy.
France coach Jacques Brunel said he was frustrated by what he described as a “cruel” defeat.
It meant Brunel started his France reign with an agonising loss after a stunning try from Teddy Thomas had looked set to pinch an unlikely win.
France coach Jacques Brunel has brushed aside criticism of his decision to hand a debut to 19-year-old flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert.
Mathieu Bastareaud was first included and then later dropped from France's Six Nations squad on Wednesday after he was banned over a homophobic slur.
Russia being banned from the Winter Olympics stole the headlines but may also have overshadowed an otherwise sorry year for sport in terms of scandals.
?I can?t believe it, wow! It?s really amazing, it?s such a good day,? said Dumoulin.
It was Chris Froome?s closest Tour struggle yet as his final winning margin was less than a minute for the first time.
Marcel Kittel cantered to a fourth stage win of the Tour de France at the end of Tuesday's 178km 10th stage from Perigueux to Bergerac.
?I didn?t see him attack there, I just lost the handlebars,? said Froome. ?I want to thank them for waiting. ?
Champion Chris Froome retained the yellow jersey after finishing the stage third, behind Frenchman Warren Barguil, who missed out on victory in a photo-finish.
A rider from the Katusha team trying to set up Alexander Kristoff for the finish, slipped on a wet bend and crashed, taking down around 15-20 riders.
?This time of the year, it always feels like it?s really getting towards the business part of my season. ?
Jose Mourinho will likely ring the changes again as Man United look to wrap up their progress to the Europa League last 16 away to Saint-Etienne.
Algeria coach Rabah Saadane claimed his team will be representing more than just their countrymen when they face the US in a must-win Group C clash.
