Sue Barker defeated Renáta Tomanová in the final, 6–2, 0–6, 6–2 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1976 French Open.

Chris Evert was the two-time reigning champion, but chose not to defend her title.

She elected to compete in World TeamTennis and did not return to the French Open until 1979.

The seeded players are listed below.

Sue Barker is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated.