A goal from Samir Nasri has cancelled out Joleon Lescott's opener to send England and France in level at half time.
It was the French who made the brighter start, with plenty of possession in the first 15 minutes. Nasri had an opening on the edge of the area, but dragged his shot wide of the post.
England grew into the half and could have gone ahead when Ashley Young split the France defence to send James Milner through on goal. The Manchester City man rounded Hugo Lloris, but hit the side-netting with his shot.
Roy Hodgson's men took the lead on the half-hour mark, when Steven Gerrard launched the ball into the area from a free kick and Lescott powered a header past Lloris from point blank range.
France nearly levelled soon afterwards, when Alou Diarra rose highest to meet Nasri's free kick, but Joe Hart saved well to deny him.
Some neat passing on the edge of England's area from Patrice Evra and Franck Ribery led to Nasri shooting past Hart at his near post to draw the teams level.