The French matched their best winning streak against the All Blacks from 1994-95 with a third straight victory in a breathless game that lived up to the hype.
The 27 turnovers in Saturday night's clash at Stade de France were testament to the ferocious defence on both sides.
New Zealand's Peter Lakai is tackled, with fierce defence a feature of the clash. (AP PHOTO)
New Zealand shot out to 14-3 and 17-10 by halftime.
But France flipped the momentum in the second half with converted tries by flanker Paul Boudehent and wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey, which was the turning point. They sent France ahead 24-17.
France's Thomas Ramos and New Zealand replacement Damian McKenzie then traded penalties to the end with the All Blacks always chasing, and within one point with five minutes to go.
Both teams were faultless off the tee to add to the tension.
"It gives you a lot of confidence to beat a great side like this, especially considering the form they were in and they players they have," France captain Antoine Dupont said.
"There were a lot of times when we were struggling in defence. But we didn't panic (when we were behind) because we knew we could turn things around."
The commitment was evident from the second minute when All Blacks flanker Samipeni Finau's head collided with France prop Tevita Tatafu's knee. Finau came off and Tatafu endured only a little longer.
Finau's replacement, Peter Lakai, scored the opening try after Ardie Savea bowled over three defenders. The New Zealand scrum was the platform for their second try, when scrumhalf Cam Roigard stopped No. 8 Grégory Alldritt and stole his intended pass to Dupont.
Dupont made little impact until the 33rd when France phases narrowed New Zealand and he picked out Ramas to send fullback Romain Buros over for a try on debut.
Boudehent's brace of second-half tries in the 52-12 win against Japan last Saturday earned him a start and his try from a lineout maul in the 44th tied the score.
New Zealand swung back onto attack but a dropped pass was collected by Ramos who kicked upfield. Bielle-Biarrey then gassed Anton Lienert Brown and Sevu Reece to the ball and scored the decisive try.
France never trailed again.
Ramos went six-for-six kicking for goal, while McKenzie went four for four after taking over from Beauden Barrett.
France have won the last three contests with the All Blacks in the Stade de France; 40-25 in autumn 2021 and 27-13 in the Rugby World Cup opener 14 months ago.
The defeat was New Zealand's first on their northern tour after beating Japan, England and Ireland. The All Blacks move on to Italy while France host Argentina next Friday.
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