France competed at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany.

During the March of the Nations (when each national team with its flag parades on the field), the entire French team gave a straight-arm salute as it passed the box of Adolf Hitler (head of state of the host country for that Olympics, Germany).

The French flag was also dipped in such a way as to drag it in the dirt in front of Hitlers box.

There was a storm of protest in France after the incident was reported there, and accusations were made that the French Olympic committee was pro-Nazi.

Charles des Jammonières won a bronze medal in the 50 m pistol event.