France were not at their flamboyant best, but a try from flanker Anthony Jelonch has helped the Six Nations leaders to a 13-9 victory over a Wales side full of fight at the Principality Stadium, a seventh win in a row for Fabien Galthie's team.
France stay on course for their first Six Nations title - and Grand Slam - since 2010, with a remaining fixture to come against England at Paris on March 20. Their other points were from the boot of fullback Melvyn Jaminet, who kicked a conversion and two penalties.
Wales were impressive in containing the visitors' attacking instincts and captain Dan Biggar was exceptional with the boot, as he won territory and kicked three penalties to keep them in the contest to the last minute.
Unbeaten France have 18 points from four games in the championship, ahead of second-placed Ireland (11 points) and England (10) in third. Those two sides meet at Twickenham on Sunday to keep their title hopes alive.
France have been free-flowing in the championship so far, but this was a different kind of win, built on the hard work of defence coach Shaun Edwards, who was previously in the Welsh camp.
Tellingly, France saw less ball and played more of the game in their own half, but they had five breakdown steals to just one for the home side and six turnovers in all, and it was in that area of the game they dominated.
After the teams traded early penalties, France did not take long to breach the Wales tryline.
They moved the ball quickly through the hands, stretching the home defence and committing tacklers, which created the space for Jaminet to break the line and feed Jelonch for an easy score.
Wales, who had been criticised for allowing prop Tomas Francis to play on after a blow to the head against England, took no chances, when scrumhalf Tomos Williams picked up a suspected concussion in the build-up to the try and he was permanently replaced by Kieran Hardy inside 10 minutes.
Wales No.8 Taulupe Faletau forced a penalty in the France 22 with an excellent chase and tackle, and for the remainder of the first half, the visitors allowed themselves to be sucked into a kicking duel.
That played into the hands of Biggar, who was pinpoint with his kicks and kept the home side playing in the French half, forcing errors and reducing the deficit to 10-9 at halftime.
The only points of the second period went to the visitors, after Wales were offside and Jaminet kicked an penalty, which proved the last score of the game in the 46th minute.
Reuters
