Wales - who included Dragons RFC duo George Tuckley and Evan Minto - suffered another agonising late defeat in the Under-20s Six Nations after France edged to victory at Cardiff Arms Park.
Les Bleuets continued a winning streak against the Welsh youngsters that goes back to 2020, but it was tight despite the hosts ending with nothing to show for their efforts.
Just as they did at England in round one, Wales led at half-time thanks to tries by scrum-half Sion Davies and hooker Tom Howe plus seven points from the boot of fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones.
In Northampton they had a 16-point advantage but in Cardiff it was a more slender 17-15 with all the French scores coming from the Keletaona brothers Luke and Tana.
France hit the front through Joachim Senga Kouo only for Steffan Emanuel to ensure that Wales had the lead in the final quarter.
Les Bleuets got their fourth try against the run of play through hooker Gabin Garault and a clincher through wing Dylan Cazemajou.
