France competed at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, from 6 to 15 April 1896.

French athletes had appeared in every Summer Olympic Games of the modern era, alongside Australia, Great Britain, and Greece.

Cycling was the sport in which the French competitors had the most success, as they completely dominated the field.

The French fencers were held in high regard prior to the Games; Gravelotte and Callot validated those expectations in the amateur foil competition.

Surprisingly, however, Perronet lost to the Greek Leonidas Pyrgos in the only match of the masters competition.