Stoner was fastest in the morning warm-up at Le Mans but crashed his Ducati on the third lap while running in fourth place.

Lorenzo's teammate Valentino Rossi finished second to retain second place in the world championship, nine points behind the Spaniard.

Third home was Honda's Andrea Dovizioso followed Ducati's Nicky Hayden at the historic Bugatti circuit.

Lorenzo, who set off from second place on the grid, completed the race in a time of 44min 29.114s to comfortably hold off Rossi, the Italian coming in almost six seconds behind.

Rossi had celebrated his team Inter Milan's Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich on Saturday night but was unable to make his presence on pole pay at a circuit where last year he had trailed in 16th.

The flamboyant reigning champion got off to a flying start in scorching sunshine, leading into the first turn ahead of Dani Pedrosa and Lorenzo.

Lorenzo quickly moved into second and set his sights on Rossi.

Lorenzo shot into the lead on lap seven only for Rossi to nip back in front, but the Italian was unable to produce a similar reply when Lorenzo went back in front again on lap 10.

 

French Grand Prix:
1. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP-Yamaha) 44:29.114
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA-Yamaha) +5.672
3. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA-Honda) +7.872
4. Nicky Hayden (USA-Ducati) +9.346
5. Dani Pedrosa (ESP-Honda) +12.613
6. Marco Melandri (ITA-Honda) +21.918
7. Randy de Puniet (FRA-Honda) +29.288
8. Hector Barbera (ESP-Ducati) +33.128
9. Aleix Espargaro (ESP-Ducati) +33.493
10. Marco Simoncelli (ITA-Honda) +33.805

Overall Standings:
1. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP) 70
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) 61
3. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) 42
4. Dani Pedrosa (ESP) 40
5. Nicky Hayden (USA) 39
6. Randy de Puniet (FRA) 26
7. Marco Melandri (ITA) 21
8. Colin Edwards (USA) 16
9. Marco Simoncelli (ITA) 16
10. Hector Barbera (ESP) 15