One of François-Poncet's early written works included observations made during several journeys to the German Empire in the years prior to World War I.

[2][3] Shortly after the Munich Agreement was signed in 1938, François-Poncet left his post as French ambassador to Germany after a farewell visit to Hitler at the Eagle's Nest on 18 October 1938.

François-Poncet was appointed ambassasdor to Italy largely because he shared the desire of the Foreign Minister, Georges Bonnet, for closer Franco-Italian ties.

[4] On 19 November 1938, François-Poncet arrived at the Quirinal Palace to present his letters of accreditation to King Victor Emmanuel III as the ambassador of the French republic to the Kingdom of Italy.

[5] Arrested by the Gestapo during the wartime German occupation of France, François-Poncet was imprisoned for three years, hel as an Sonderhaftling ("special prisoner") in Ifen Hotel in Kleinwalsertal, Austria.