France had lost their previous four Tests against the South Americans, including a 24-14 setback in Marseille in 2004.

But two tries from winger Christophe Dominici and 12 points from the boot of scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili at the Stade de France on Saturday secured the win, despite number eight Gonzalo Longo and full-back Juan Martin Hernandez scoring late for the Pumas.

Argentina, who are Frances first group opponents in next year's World Cup, arrived in Paris having beaten England 25-18 at Twickenham and Italy 23-16 last week in Rome but they failed to recover from a 17-9 deficit at the break after Dominic and Florian Fritz had touched down.

France went into the game after back-to-back defeats by the All Blacks and recalled Stade Francais winger Dominici in place of Aurelien Rougerie and Yachvili replaced the injured Jean-Baptiste Elissalde in a largely unchanged line-up, while the Pumas recalled skipper Agustin Pichot at half-back and Leinsters Felipe Contemomi.

Les Bleus struggled in the opening exchanges and fell behind after nine minutes as fly-half Federico Todeschini slotted home a penalty.

Dominici hit back within six minutes beating Hernandez and Ignacio Corleto to cross under the posts after good work from Damien Traille and centre Yannick Jauzion to leave Yachvili an easy conversion before Todeschinis penalty reduced the deficit to 7-6 midway through the first half.

French pressure led to an error from Contepomi and Yachvili made no mistake with the penalty before Fritz scored in the corner off a short pass from Yachvili, who converted from a narrow angle to make it 17-6.

Yachvili missed a penalty in the opening minuets of the second half but Contepomi reduced the deficit to bring Argentina within eight points.

France hit back as Flanker Elvis Vermeulen surged forward and Dominici collected a loose ball to cross unchallenged.

Yachvilis conversion and further penalty made it 27-9 but the the Pumas burst into life to set up a tense finish.

Converted tries from Longo and Hernandez brought the Pumas within one point but a game saving block from Contepomis late drop-goal attempt by flanker Serge Betsen ensured France held on despite late pressure from the visitors.