The EHF Euro Cup is a test tournament for those nations who are already qualified for next year's European championships.
Without Emil Nielsen, Simon Pytlick and Rasmus Lauge, Denmark were missing three key players from their basic formation in the World Championships.
This gave goalkeeper veteran Jannick Green a rare chance to shine in the starting line-up, while Jacob Holm and Lasse Andersson slid into the back chain together with Mathias Gidsel from the start.
However, in front of a passionate crowd of 10.000 spectators in Lyon, Denmark got off to a poor start against a French team with something to prove following an early elimination from the Olympic Games on home turf last summer.
The home side held the lead through the majority of a tight match. Denmark led 3-2 after seven minutes, but were not in front again until the final 10 minutes, and that proved only temporary.
France dominated proceedings throughout the match, while their lead fluctuated and they enjoyed their biggest margin when they led 7-3 after 13 minutes.
Denmark led 29-27 when coach Nikolaj Jacobsen took a timeout which did not have the desired effect as France socred three goals in quick succession after that forcing Denmark to take another time-out.
The score was then locked at 32-32 when Dika Mem soared and hammered home a late winner from long range.
The two teams will face each other again on Saturday in Kolding, Denmark.