It took France just over eight minutes to break the deadlock, with Melvyn Jaminet slotting over an early penalty, before Gael Fickou scored the first try of the game, crossing in the corner after Gabin Villiere helped stretch England with a break on the far side.
Marcus Smith hit back with a close-range penalty of his own, but Jaminet restored the eight-point gap off the tee in short order.
Jack Nowell was forced off with an arm injury before the half-hour mark and, although a second Smith penalty trimmed the difference again, another breathless French move aided by Romain Ntamack saw Francois Cros add a home try on the stroke of half-time.
Freddie Steward scrambled over at the right corner flag to get England off on the right footing following the restart, but the visitors' hopes of a comeback were dashed when Dupont slipped through a gap on the 22-metre line to coast in on the hour.
There would be no reply this time and the party in the stands could truly start.
