France's last appearance at a major tournament ended in disaster when a number of players staged a mutiny against former coach Raymond Domenech at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
However, the team that goes into this summer's European Championships is a far cry from that shambolic outfit of two years ago.
Les Bleus now boast a united side full of both flair and aggression that has the opportunity to reach the summit of European football once again.
Group: D
Manager: Laurent Blanc - Despite having plenty of detractors when he took the job, former French defender Blanc has got the side going into the tournament in solid form. Already a hero from his playing days, he now has the chance to cement his place in the national side's history from the touchlines.
Players to watch:
Hatem Ben Arfa: After an impressive season with Newcastle United, the injury-prone winger will be causing defenders all sorts of problems with his pace and skill.
Yann M'Vila: Regarded as one of the most promising midfielders in Europe, the 21-year-old has established himself in the national side with his athletic style. However, an ankle injury could hinder his chances of performing on the big stage.
Karim Benzema: The Real Madrid frontman has been a disappointment at his last two international tournaments, but he has only improved in that time and could be amongst the leading scorers in Poland and Ukraine.
Previous best: Winners 1984, 2000
Sports Mole says: Semi-finals
Germany
Switzerland
Hungary
Scotland
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Albania
England
Denmark
Slovenia
Serbia
Austria
France
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Belgium
Slovakia
Ukraine
Portugal
Turkey
Georgia
Czech Republic