Relations began in the early 18th century, as the French East India Company was attempting to extend its influence into Southeast Asia.

The Governor-General of French India Joseph François Dupleix had started to show interest in Burma since 1727, on account of the country's abundance in teak and crude oil.

[2] Dupleix promised men and munitions and dispatched Sieur de Bruno with the objective of developing French influence in the country.

[1] However, Dupleix's proposals to take control of the Irrawaddy delta were rejected by the French government, strongly limiting his capacity to intervene there.

[9] Following their 1740 revolt against Burmese rule, the Mon sacked Ava in 1752, and overran most of Burma, putting an end to the Toungoo dynasty.

[16] He acted as a military advisor to the Mons, and French warships participated in fighting against the Burmese in Syriam and Dagon (ancient Rangoon).

The French captains were killed and the 200 sailors forced to join the Burmese army[18][19] Sieur de Bruno was roasted to death.

The king of Burma Hsinbyushin welcomed Feraud's embassy,[21] and accepted Ferraud's offer for trade, in exchange for the supply of guns and ammunitions.

[23][24] With the advent of the French Revolution in 1789 and the rise of Napoleon, France became less capable of involvement in faraway theaters such as Burma.

In 1872, king Mindon sent an embassy to Europe, led by his confidant, the Kinwun Mingyi,[25] leading to the signature of a commercial treaty with France on 24 January 1873.

[26][27] Further, in 1883, king Thibaw Min attempted to break the stalemate with Great Britain by trying to establish an alliance with France to obtain recognition and aid.

Charles Bernard, the Chief Commissioner of Lower Burma, warned that "if Ava refuses to stop the treaty, annexation will be inevitable".

[32] On June, 7, 2022 Myanmar's junta expressed strong displeasure at a French embassy statement calling it an "illegitimate military regime", warning of potential harm to bilateral relations.

[35] In January 2022, French oil giant TotalEnergies announced it would be withdrawing from Myanmar over "worsening human rights abuses".