Irish dreams of a semi-final in tatters as French players are left in tears after first EuroHockey win in 22 years
Mathilde Duffrene's second-half penalty corner proved the difference, while goalkeeper Lucie Ehrmann produced a superb display to thwart Ireland's below-par attackers.
As it stands, defeat left hopes of progression resting on their final pool game against hosts Germany and a healthy goal difference win. It's an outside chance at best.
'We are gutted,' said Katie Mullan. 'We had a lot of opportunities, the French goalkeeper was phenomenal, but we should take a hard look at ourselves in attack as we expect more from ourselves and we are able to produce more quality in the final third.'
An unmarked Mullan hit the post and then blazed over in the first quarter to set the tone for Ireland's host of squandered chances.
They then wasted five penalty corner chances in a row. The post was rattled either side of post runner Emma van der Zanden charging down the castle hits.
Lizzy Murphy made a sprawling second-half body save from Van Der Zanden. It paved the way for upfield Irish circle penetration but increasing desperation to find the net as more corner set-pieces went begging.
With 11 minutes left, Ireland went down to 10 after a green card for Michelle Carey. And France made it count through Duffrene's rising penalty corner flick.
Mullan's late yellow card for physical intent summed up their afternoon.
Coach Gareth Grundie said: 'We were impatient with the ball, but we had enough opportunities to win it comfortably. We will have to take that one on the chin.'
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