France have moved to within one more victory of a first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2010.
Only England in Paris on Super Saturday now stand between Les Bleus and their ultimate goal after a hard-fought display in Cardiff on Friday evening.
Below-par France endured a largely frustrating night at the Principality Stadium as they were put under plenty of pressure by determined Wales, but eventually secured a tense 13-9 victory.
Toulouse flanker Anthony Jelonch scored the only try of the game to go along with eight points from the boot of full-back Melvyn Jaminet.
Dan Biggar scored three first-half penalties to keep things close for Wales, whose best chance came in the second half after a cross-field kick from Biggar, but Jonathan Davies agonisingly could not hold on to Taulupe Faletau’s brilliant inside pass.
The Six Nations round four action concludes on Saturday, with Scotland taking on Italy in Rome and England hosting Ireland at Twickenham in a game between two teams hoping to keep the pressure on France before the final weekend.
